the rugged shore a hundred meters south of the cave where they may have practiced climbing
did you catch anything yet?
this used to be the boat ramp
the famous rockart depicting manutara birds
the entrance to the cave
another nearby cave
navigating your canoe in here was no easy feat
The rugged westcoast just south of the Mataveri airport runway is pounded by huge waves that roll in from the South Pacific Ocean.
This is the location for one of Rapa Nui's most intriguing caves,
Ana Kai Tangata.
The name can be translated in
"cave of the maneaters" and hence it is sometimes referred to as the Cannibal cave.
But there is no indication whatsoever
for cannibalism on Rapa Nui.
Other translations are "cave where men meet / gather / teach." Make your choice.
The place was
once used to launch and land canoes, not a bad feat when you see the waves smashing in.
On the wall in the back of
the cave there are paintings of
manutaras aka sooty stern, the sacred bird of the
Birdman Cult.
According to our guide
the cave was used by the participants of the annual
Tangata manu competition for practice training, which included swimming
and rock climbing.
nowadays there is an easy path to descend to the cave
waves roll in