| Marae were the place
reserved for ceremonoal activity in both the social and reglious realm
of the ancient Polynesians. They were monuments of imposing size. The
layout varied from one island to another, but the architectural standard
was a rectangular structure, with a court where a platform or ahu
of upright stones was erected. Unu were large wooden stele carved
with anthropomorphic or zoomorphic images such as these. They were probably
totems for the guardian spirits of a family or tribe. Maeva Village Marae
Archaeological Site, Huahine. |
