Orongo: Birdman ceremony site with ancient competition rituals. Orongo is the site of the Birdman competition (Tangatu Manu) Representatives from each tribe would climb 200m down cliffs, swim to Motu Nui island, retrieve a bird egg, and climb back The winner's chieftain became the island's king for that year
Orongo hosted the Birdman competition: competitors climbed down ~300m cliffs, swam to Motu Nui island, retrieved sooty tern eggs, and the winner's chief became king. Rituals could last up to 30 days! 🏔️
Key Facts
- Orongo is the site of the Birdman competition (Tangatu Manu)
- Representatives from each tribe would climb 200m down cliffs, swim to Motu Nui island, retrieve a bird egg, and climb back
- The winner's chieftain became the island's king for that year
- The competition could last up to 30 days while warriors waited for migrating birds
- Warriors had to survive on the barren island, fish, and fight off competitors
- In 1886, American explorers discovered basalt paintings inside houses and began destroying them
- In 1974, William Malloy led archaeological restoration of the site
- The cave entrances were designed as lava tubes for war defense, climate protection, and spiritual reasons
Related site: Orongo — view location, images, and history on the Ancient Nerds map.
Source: Easter Island Adventure: Moai at Sunrise + Hidden Caves by Wandering Wolf