Known as the “Bora Bora of the Austral Islands” – one of the five island groups of French Polynesia — Raivavae’s geography is similar with its white sand beaches, an emerald lagoon, and motus around the barrier reef that are perfect for swimming and snorkeling. Raivavae is a high island of eroded volcanic basalt. The surrounding reef with its numerous uninhabited motus (islands) creates a beautiful shallow lagoon with hues of iridescent blues. Its highest point, Mt. Hiro, tops out at 438 meters (1,437 feet). The people maintain an almost subsistence lifestyle farming taro and bananas, and by fishing the outer reef in handmade outrigger canoes much like they have for generations. The population of the island is about 1,000 people, concentrated in 4 coastal villages. Our sightseeing by local trucks and guides included stops at taro fields, the tiki of the Princess (the only remaining tiki on the island, out of 4 original tikis), marae sacred temples and Motu Hotuatua.
“As in other southern islands, the cooler climate than in the rest of Polynesia is conducive to market gardening of traditional taro tubers (Colocasia esculenta), coffee trees, mango trees, lychees and banana trees. As a result, many families are self-sufficient. Craftsmanship remains very much alive on the island with the making of traditional shell necklaces, the braiding of hats, and the making of tifaifai [large pieces of fabric with floral and colorful patterns, an emblem of Polynesian craftsmanship]. Moreover, Raivavae remains the only island in French Polynesia where the construction of sewn canoes continues.” — Wikipedia
A Tiki is a sculpture endowed with an important spiritual and symbolic force, originating from the Marquesas Islands and usually representing a modified man. The Tiki is a real emblem of French Polynesia and holds a significant position in the local culture.
“The only remaining tiki (carved humanlike statue) on the island stands in a private garden just to the west of the village of Mahanatoa. About 1 meter [3.3 feet] in height, it has highly stylised hands and chest as well as clearly outlined eyes. Its curved lips suggest a smile. It’s not signed.” — www.lonelyplanet.com Two tikis that originated on the island of Raivavae are now in the Paul Gauguin Museum (Musée Gauguin) in Paperai, Tahiti. The fourth tiki sank into the ocean as it was being transported from Raivavae to Tahiti for the Museum. The local story is that almost all of the crew members involved in the transport of the tiki died later on, leading to local superstitions.
“East of the island of Raivavae, emerges from the lagoon the motu Hotuatua, 60 meters [197 feet] high. According to legend, the women of the village of Vaiuru claimed to be stronger than the men of Anatonu. To find out for sure, the inhabitants decided that a woman from Vaiuru and a man from Anatonu would face off by carrying a huge rock from the top of the mountain and depositing it as far as possible in the lagoon. The start would take place in the middle of the night and the race would end before the cockcrow. Shortly after the start of the event, the man, who was very strong, reached the beach with his rock. Tired, he lay down and fell asleep. The woman, slowly, ends up laying down her rock, named Hotuatua, in the lagoon. Then she looked for her competitor and found him dozing on the beach. So she hid and imitated the crowing of the rooster. The man woke up suddenly, ran to take his rock, but for fear of being caught by the day, let it fall on the beach. The woman had won.” – www.tahitileblog-fr
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