Motu Nui
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Motu Nui is an islet located south of Easter Island. The importance of this islet resides in a ritual that was created after the Moai stopped being revered, when the cult of the Tangata manu ("Bird Man") started.
The ritual was a competition to collect the first egg of the manutara. This gave the leader of the winning clan the title of Tangata manu, and great power on the Island. This took place starting from the ceremonial city of Orongo, where the fittest from each clan went down the cliffs, swam in the sea, snatched an egg and had to go back up. Many of such competitors were killed by sharks or by falling.
Motu means island in Rapa Nui language, and there are another two motus located nearby: Motukaokao (a peak born from the sandy bottom, rising around 20 meters (65 feet) above sea level) and Motu Iti (near Motu Nui).
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