Britannica
Sources used in this answer
How were moai kavakava wooden figures used in Easter Island ceremonies?
Created from Britannica articles
using AI.
AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.
Easter Island
Sculptures cut from volcanic rock, Easter Island.
The moai kavakava were small wooden figures carved on Easter Island that played significant roles in both public and private ceremonies. These figures, which typically depicted emaciated, skeletal men, were used in the following ways:
- Ceremonial Pendants: Both naturalistic and skeletal male figures were worn as pendants during ceremonies.1
- Harvest Celebrations: The figures were frequently utilized during harvest festivals, where the first fruits of the season were heaped around them as offerings.2
- Private Rituals: Between public festivals, the statues were wrapped in bark cloth and kept in private homes. In these settings, they likely served private ritualistic or decorative purposes. It has been reported that islanders would occasionally handle the figures like dolls, performing slight dancing motions with them.2
- Fertility Rites: The figures were also sometimes employed in fertility rites.2
These carvings are believed to represent ancestors who continue to exist in the form of skeletons, reflecting their deep ancestral significance.21