Marae Taputapuatea is a large marae complex located in Opoa, Taputapuatea, on the eastern coast of Raiatea. The site includes several marae and other stone structures. It was once the main religious site of Eastern Polynesia. In 2017, the Taputapuatea area and the marae complex were added to the UNESCO World Heritage List because of its political and religious importance and because it shows the traditions of Eastern Polynesian culture.

Description

The marae complex is located at the end of a peninsula that sticks out into the lagoon surrounding Raiatea. The center of the complex includes the marae itself: a rectangular courtyard covered with basalt and measuring 44 by 60 meters. At the east end of the marae is the ahu, a platform made of basalt and coral used for ceremonies. Other marae are also part of the complex, such as marae Hauviri, where chiefs were given names.

History

The sacred area of Cape Matahira-i-te-ra'i is called Te Po, where the gods live. The original marae was first dedicated to Ta'aroa, the supreme creator, but later, the worship of 'Oro, the god of life and death, became more important. According to legend, 'Oro's descendant Hiro built the marae and named it Taputapuatea, which means "Sacrifices from afar." The drum called Ta'imoana was used during human sacrifices. A white rock named Te Papatea-o-Ru'ea on the nearby beach (now part of marae Hauviri) was used to give the red feather girdle, maro 'ura, to the chiefs of Ra'iatea. A three-foot-tall image of the god was called 'Oro-maro-'ura, meaning "Oro of the red feather girdle." Taputapuatea became the center of a voyaging network as the worship of 'Oro spread across the region.

The marae may have been built as early as AD 1000. It was expanded and rebuilt at least two times between the 14th and 18th centuries. The marae was a place of learning where priests and navigators from across the Pacific gathered to offer sacrifices to the gods and share knowledge about the universe's origins and deep-ocean navigation.

An alliance called Fa'auta Aroha, meaning "Friendly alliance," brought together two widespread Polynesian regions. This alliance was kept strong through regular meetings of chiefs. It included the Cook Islands, the Australs, Kapukapuakea in Hawaii, and the Maori in New Zealand. New marae were built on each of these islands, using a rock from Taputapuatea, Raiatea, as a spiritual link. Priests, chiefs, and warriors from other islands gathered on Raiatea regularly to maintain the alliance and perform human sacrifices to 'Oro. However, the alliance ended when fighting broke out at a gathering, and two leading priests were killed. The people of Ao-tea left the island, escaping through the reef passage of Te Ava-rua instead of the sacred passage of Te Ava-mo'a, which was seen as a bad omen. In 1995, an attempt was made to fix this wrongdoing.

Around 1763, warriors from Bora Bora attacked the island, defeating Tupaia and destroying parts of it. They damaged the god-houses at Taputapuatea, wrecked the platform, and cut down the trees that provided shelter. In 1769, James Cook, Joseph Banks, Daniel Solander, and Tupaia arrived on the Endeavour to claim Raiatea, Taha'a, Huahine, and Bora Bora for King George III of the United Kingdom. This event fulfilled a prophecy made by the wizard priest Vaita, who had predicted that a new people would arrive in a canoe without an outrigger to take possession of the islands. In the early 1800s, missionaries arrived on the island, and the marae complex was soon abandoned.

Research and restoration

In 1929, Te Rangi Hīroa visited Taputapuatea and was very sad to see the poor condition of this important marae. He wrote about what he saw.

The ancient remains of Marae Taputapuatea were restored in 1994. Workers continue to protect the site today.

The Association Na Papa E Va'u Raiatea is a group formed by people from Opoa. This group works to protect Marae Taputapuatea. Because of their efforts, the marae was added to the World Heritage List on July 9, 2017. The association also helps connect communities in the Polynesian triangle and across the Pacific region.