article
Sculptures of barkcloth and wood from Rapa Nui
RES: Anthropology and Aesthetics • (44) • Published In 1981 • Pages: 10-69 ,
By: Kaeppler, Adrienne L..
Abstract
This is a profusely illustrated study of Rapa Nui wooden and barkcloth sculptures and their meanings, drawing on comparisons to other East Polynesian cultures for clues. Rapa Nui figurines were both ancestral and fertility symbols. An early figurine's ridged backbone represents genealogy, similar to the ridgepole of a Maori house; the word for "backbone" is the same for "family" in Hawaiian. With the collapse of the clan-based system, fertility and transformation associated with birdman cult became themes emphasized in Rapa Nui sculpture: later human figurines have bird-like ribs and wing-like arms; fish carvings have the gular pouch of a frigate bird.
- HRAF PubDate
- 2017
- Region
- Oceania
- Sub Region
- Polynesia
- Document Type
- article
- Evaluation
- Creator Type
- Ethnologist
- Document Rating
- 5: Excellent Primary Data
- Analyst
- Ian Skoggard ; 2012
- Field Date
- 1984, 2001
- Coverage Date
- 1722–1872
- Coverage Place
- Easter Island, Valparaíso, Chile
- Notes
- Adrienne L. Kaeppler
- Includes bibliographical references (p. 31-33)
- LCCN
- 81649939
- LCSH
- Easter Island