Every July 7th, the Indigenous Community Ma‘u Henua, administrators of Rapa Nui National Park, commemorates “Te Tomo Haŋa o Te Ariki” through its Intangible Heritage Unit. This event honors the landing of Ariki Hotu Matu‘a and the birth of the first Rapa Nui person, Tu‘u Maheke. Officially celebrated since 2021, the ceremony aims to revalue the sacred site of Haŋa Rau (modern-day Anakena) and strengthen the connection between future generations and their ancestral history.
The founding legend
According to Rapa Nui oral tradition, the wise man Haumaka dreamt that his homeland, Hiva, would be destroyed. In his vision, he received a revelation about a new land called Te Pito o Te Kainga, where his people would find refuge and a new beginning. His brother, Ariki Hotu Matu‘a, was chosen to lead the journey across the ocean with his family and a large group of followers aboard two great canoes. One was led by Hotu Matu‘a, the other by his sister Avareipua.
After a long voyage, they reached the shore of Haŋa Rau, the site that would mark the beginning of a new era. There, Hotu Matu‘a’s wife, Vakai a Heva, gave birth on the beach to a boy named Tu‘u Maheke—said to have emerged standing, which is the meaning of his name: “the one who came standing.” This marked the symbolic and spiritual birth of the Rapa Nui people.
This story, passed down through generations, not only describes the physical origin of the island’s inhabitants but also illustrates the deep spiritual bond between the Rapa Nui people, their ancestors, and the land.
How It Is Celebrated Today
The Te Tomo Haŋa o Te Ariki ceremony has become a deeply emotional and community-centered event. Today, it features a large-scale reenactment of Hotu Matu‘a’s arrival, with active participation from children, youth, adults, and elders—many dressed in traditional attire such as kahu tupuna or kahu tea tea. The celebration is open to the entire Rapa Nui community as well as visitors who happen to be on the island during this meaningful time.
The day includes a dramatization of the landing and Tu‘u Maheke’s birth, brought to life through chants, storytelling, traditional music, and dance. Cultural groups, local artists, and bearers of ancestral knowledge take part in reviving this origin story, offering the audience a powerful and immersive experience.
More than a performance, it is a living cultural expression that aims to reconnect with a chapter of history that had long been relegated to textbooks or tourist narratives. Today, this celebration holds profound value for the Rapa Nui people, as it promotes cultural pride and creates a space for intergenerational dialogue.
Cultural and Heritage Significance
The Te Tomo Haŋa o Te Ariki ceremony serves several vital purposes:
- Reviving collective memory: It allows new generations to learn and connect with the foundational story of their culture.
- Reclaiming the significance of Haŋa Rau: No longer seen just as a beach or tourist site, but as the sacred place where the Rapa Nui story began.
- Strengthening community cohesion: The event brings together all ages and reinforces cultural and emotional ties among community members.
- Highlighting the role of Ma‘u Henua: As stewards of the national park and guardians of heritage, their leadership is essential in preserving both tangible and intangible cultural elements.
Tips for Visitors
If you’re fortunate enough to be on Rapa Nui in early July, we highly encourage you to witness this powerful ceremony—with respect and awareness. Here are a few key tips:
- Follow the event guidelines: Respect the organizers’ instructions, and do not cross into restricted areas.
- Never climb the ceremonial platforms (ahu) or moai: These are sacred and must be preserved for future generations.
- Stay on designated paths to avoid damaging archaeological sites or native vegetation.
- Engage respectfully: Observe attentively, appreciate the depth of the event, and avoid actions that could disrupt the ceremony.
Participating in this celebration is a rare opportunity to witness Rapa Nui culture from its very roots—and in its original setting.
Te Tomo Haŋa o Te Ariki is far more than a symbolic commemoration: it is an act of reclamation, pride, and living memory. Every July 7th, Rapa Nui is reborn through the voices, movements, and stories of its people, who breathe life into the legacy of their ancestors. Thanks to the efforts of Ma‘u Henua, the sacredness of Haŋa Rau has been restored, making this date an essential moment to understand the identity and strength of the Rapa Nui community.
To witness this event is to step into the beginning of a millennia-old culture—alive, resilient, and deeply rooted in the Pacific.
