Raitea (pronounced “ray-a-ta-ya”) was considered by the ancient Polynesians as the cradle of their thousand-year-old civilization.  It was a religious and cultural center that was very important throughout the Pacific.  The religious chiefs from other archipelagos gathered at marae Taputapuatea.  In addition, it is said that it was from Raitea that the Polynesian immigrants departed to settle other islands in the Pacific from Cook Islands to New Zealand.  Its original name “Havai’i Nui” means “Big Springing Water” and its current name, Raitea means “Far Away Heaven.”  The island is roughly 92 square miles and has 12k inhabitants and is still considered the cultural center of Polynesia..

There are several “must see” sites on Raitea including an exploration up the only river in French Polynesia, Faaroa River and a visit to the largest marae in Polynesia, the Taputapuatea.  The entire sacred site occupies 2.125 hectares and consists of ancient marae, agricultural terraces, and archaeological remains of houses. This is where inauguration ceremonies, political alliances and international meetings would take place in ancient times.  For a long time, the site was taboo and then it became the headquarters of religious and political powers.  These days, communities of Hawaii, New Zealand, and Cook Islands still meet at this pilgrimage venue, which they consider as the home of their sacred culture.

ARRIVAL TO RAITEA

We had officially arrived in Uturoa (pronounced “ou-to-ro-a”) to get fuel but we only stayed one night at this anchorage.  The next day we moved to Opoa (o-po-a) Bay where we could access the sacred site of Taputapuatea.

There was only one boat in Opoa bay when we arrived.  As we pulled in, he dropped his dinghy, came over and offered to help us with the last mooring which had no painter.  Super nice!  We exchanged pleasantries, thanked him and finished securing Sugar Shack before heading to shore.

Taputapuatea illustrates in an exceptional way of 1,000 years of ma’chi civilization and is a symbol of human and spiritual values of Polynesia.  It is also a testament to the extraordinary navigation skills of this people, sailing long distances across the Great Ocean on double hulled canoes.  These open air temples are majestic and transformative.

Taputapuatea Marae of Raiatea

I wish there had been a tour, guide or more explanation in English as we just could not fully appreciate this sacred site.  There was little to no understanding of the extraordinary history.  But what I could piece together is below.

This is a map of the archaeological site which highlights the largest marae and sacred areas.

Map of the Marae Land

Marae Tau aitu

The first site we visited was on the water’s edge.  I was able to get photos from land and sea of the “Marae Tau aitu.”  From my uneducated eye, it looks like rocks across a huge square space leading up to large boulders by the sea.  Shoot me now for saying something so mundane about such a holy and historical place.

Marae Tau aitu

Marae Taputapuatea

The largest marae is called Marae Taputapuatea and is the cultural center of the grounds.  It had many “Tira” which are large, metal, sacred masts.  Tira decorated the marae along with tapa barkcloth or brightly colored feathered pennants.  Legend has it that they may have had features that recalled the journey of the dead to the land of the ancestors.  The Taputapuatea has large slabs carved in coral rising up to 3 meters high.

Marae Taputapuatea

This small marea included “to’o” which is an ethnographic sculpture in stone (or wood).  They represent the local divinities.

Small Marae with To’o

“Marae Hauviri” has a large platform, a huge To’o and smaller marae toward the sea.  A worker was repairing and restoring the “to’o” as we watched.

Repairing and restoring a marae

My friend Rachel (Adventures of Agape) took this awesome photo of a marae in the water.

Underwater Marae. Photo by Rachel Moore, Adventures of Agape

Some pretty photos for you:

We passed this  little “islet” on our way to Opoa bay.

Islet near Raiatea

Below is a photo of the tip of the Taputapuatea area and a photo of the small town in Opoa bay with a church and tiny charter company.

Opoa bay

Old photo rendering of a pig offering on Taputapuatea tahua marea near the cultural center.

Rendered photo of pig offering at cultural center

In case you are interested, here is some more history:

This legendary marae is famous for its former importance as a meeting place of Polynesian nations and as a starting point for courageous sailing adventures.  Many human sacrifices were offered to the altar of Oro, the god of war.

Fare tupapa’u

This is a temporary structure known as a “ghost house.”   Polynesians made this structure to house the body of a dead person.  However, generally the higher social classes who used them.  It was a small construction at 6 to 8 meters long and was composed of two parts.  The first was a fixed bier and the second was a portable roof which allowed the body to be exposed to the drying sun.  The Fare tupapa’u was situated a distance from the ahu on the marae.

Fare va’a

These are called a canoe house. They were identical in form but had variations in sizes based on the crafts that they held.

Fare ia manaha

This was the most important house to be found upon the marae.  The most important objects were stored here including the sacred images (to’o and ti’i).  In addition, it was to the guardians of the marae.  They had the privilege to cook their food in ovens using wood gathered within the marae area.  This house was erected in one day with the dedicatory human sacrifice placed under the central post of the house.

Fare atua

A god house was very important upon the marae.  Fare atua is siutated in a central position facing faces.  This elongated box is attached to two carrying poles and placed upon four supporting pillars.  They contained the to’o images of actual gods as distinct from those of deified ancestors