Easter Island, or Rapanui (Spanish Isla de Pascua, Rap Rapa Nui,
Dutch Paas eiland) is an island in the southeastern Pacific Ocean,
the territory of Chile (together with the uninhabited island of Sala
y Gomez, it forms the province and commune of Isla- de Pascua in the
Valparaiso region). The local name of the island is Rapanui, or Rapa
Nui (rap. Rapa Nui). The area is 163.6 km².
Along with the
archipelago, Tristan da Cunha is the most remote inhabited island in
the world. The distance to the continental coast of Chile is 3514
km, to Pitcairn Island, the nearest inhabited place, is 2075 km. The
island was discovered by the Dutch traveler Jacob Roggeveen on
Easter Sunday 1722.
The capital of the island and its only
city is Anga Roa. In total, 7,750 people live on the island (2017).
Rapanui is largely known for its moai, or stone statues made
from compressed volcanic ash, which, according to local beliefs,
contain the supernatural power of the ancestors of the first king of
Easter Island, Hotu-Matu'a. In 1888, annexed by Chile. In 1995
Rapanui National Park (Easter Island) became a UNESCO World Heritage
Site.
Today's Poike Peninsula in the north was created about 3 million
years ago by a volcanic eruption. After another 2 million years, Rano
Kau rose from the sea in the southwest and 250,000 years ago Maunga
Terevaka connected the two volcanoes to form an island.
It is not
known exactly when Easter Island was settled, but the legend about the
chief Hotu Matua, which was handed down orally among the natives, is
said to have happened in the 14th century AD. The research is made more
difficult by the fact that the traditional script of Easter Island, the
Rongorongo script, has not been convincingly deciphered to date, so that
no written evidence is available. In contrast to earlier assumptions,
which assumed two settlement waves, extensive DNA analyzes now show that
there was only one settlement wave from Polynesia, possibly as early as
600 AD, but possibly as late as 1200 AD . The settlement of Easter
Island from the Polynesian islands more than 4000 km away must be
considered a sensation of human civilization with the means available at
the time and was probably a deliberate settlement and not a chance
discovery.
The superhumanly large stone statues, the Moai, are
the symbol of Easter Island and can be found all over the island, but
the question of what purpose they once served has puzzled scientists to
this day, as does the question of why the Polynesian culture perished
until the arrival of the first western settlers. Today it is assumed
that overpopulation of the island and the associated depletion of
resources (erosion and overgrazing of the soil, almost complete
deforestation of the forest needed for shipbuilding) led to the
abandonment of traditional beliefs and ultimately to the decline of the
culture as a whole.
On April 6, 1722, an Easter Sunday, the
island was "discovered" by the Dutchman Jacob Roggeveen. During the
colonial period, the island was visited several times by Europeans, but
not yet taken possession.
Between 1850 and 1870 there was an
invasion of illegal slave traders on the island, who kidnapped many of
the inhabitants to Peru and had them work in the guano fields there. Out
of 1000 slaves, 900 died in one year. The Bishop of Tahiti lobbied for
the last 100 survivors to be returned to the island. However, as many
were infected with smallpox, most died during the crossing and the few
who survived also infected the rest of the island's population, so that
in 1877 only 111 islanders remained on the island.
In 1888, the
Chilean Captain Policarpo Toro annexed the island for Chile, so the
island was incorporated into the country.
Until well into the
20th century, residents of the islands were second-class Chilean
citizens, only gaining full citizenship in 1966. In addition, the island
was isolated from the rest of Chile for a long time. Almost the entire
island was leased to foreign companies for intensive livestock farming.
The islanders were only allowed to stay in a very small part of the
island. In 1967 the islanders obtained extensive concessions and a
regular flight to Santiago. However, the relationship remained strained
as the Rapanui resisted the establishment of private property in the
1970s; their laws, on the other hand, assumed collective property.
Only after Chile's transition to democracy in 1986 was the island's
development seriously promoted. In 1990, a commission to develop the
island was set up. However, the government continued to deny the island
the autonomy it wanted, leading to the threat of a unilateral
declaration of independence in 2006. In 2007, Chile gave in and gave
Easter Island and the Juan Fernández Islands special status as
autonomous regions.
Moai - stone statues on the coast of Easter Island in the form of a
human head with a body truncated approximately to the level of the belt.
Their height reaches 20 meters. Contrary to popular belief, they do not
look towards the ocean, but inland. Some moai have red stone caps. Moai
were made in quarries in the center of the island.
Scientists are
still concerned about how the inhabitants of Easter Island made and
raised their statues. Attempts to raise them in modern times have been
made by many prominent researchers. Thor Heyerdahl laid the foundation,
but his theory was apparently untenable, since the statue was damaged in
the process of moving. Much more information came from subsequent
experiments on the transportation and installation of the statues, which
were carried out by William Malloy, Jo Ann Van Tilburg, Claudio Cristino
and others. The islanders began by building a gently sloping mound of
stones, starting at the site in front of the ahu and leading to the top
of the front wall of the ahu, and dragging the statue, which lay base
forward, up the mound. When the base of the statue reached the platform,
they raised the head of the statue an inch or two, using the logs as a
lever, and pushed stones under the head to hold the statue in its new
position, an operation repeated until the angle of the statue became
close to vertical. ".
Language
The language is called Rapanui by the locals. It is
of Polynesian origin, but has changed significantly over the
centuries due to the isolation of Easter Island, so that today only
a few words match other Polynesian languages. The locals find it
easier to learn the Tahitian language than Spanish. Many learn
Spanish only in school and still consider it a foreign language.
Many residents active in tourism speak English more or less well.
Advertising for events is often also in French, rarely in German.
mobility
Arriving by plane is only possible with the Chilean
LAN. There are daily connections to IPC (Isla de Pascua) from
Santiago de Chile, as well as 1 to 2 times a week from/to Papeete
(Tahiti) and depending on the season to Lima (Peru).
Every
now and then a cruise ship comes by, but then stays in the roadstead
at a reasonable distance and takes its passengers to the small
harbor basin in individual tender boats. But even in moderate sea
conditions, this can be a very special experience.
On the
island there are neither the micro-buses nor colectivos typical of
the Chilean mainland. Instead, numerous taxi drivers vie for the
attention of tourists in town. From the airport to the center of
Hanga Roa, however, it is only a 20-minute walk.
In order to
get to know the various sights of the island, it is advisable to
rent a bicycle (13 euros per 24 hours) or a jeep (approx. 50 euros
per 24 hours). There are numerous rental companies in the center of
Hanga Roa. Nearby destinations (Rano Kau, Tere Vaka, Ahu Akiwi) can
also be easily reached on foot. Many companies also offer guided
tours around the island in minibuses.
Round trip to Anakena
beach is around 15 euros by taxi which is very expensive for 2x30
min ride but the only way to get there is by motor.
Hiking, especially in the somewhat cooler (20 degrees) winter, on the
trail of the varied and interesting culture and history of the Rapanui
Diving with different companies, also to coral reefs
guided tours
around the island
Horseback riding tours in different areas
Bathing and sunbathing at the only beach Anakena (bathing is only
allowed there!)
Surfing in the numerous bays (beware of reefs)
Kitchen
In general, prices are very high compared to South
America, which is due to the isolated location of the island. There are
mainly fish dishes, often prepared in a Polynesian style, but the
Chilean empanadas are also widespread. Sweet potatoes, avocados, guavas
and bananas are among the plants that grow well on the island and are
used in many dishes. Po'e - a kind of banana cake - is offered at many
stalls. The island's only beer brewery sells and exports its products
under the name "Mahina".
Nightlife
"Island typical" shows for tourists, mostly on Saturdays, Mondays and
Thursdays. Numerous bars and a disco in the village center.
Accommodation
In Hanga Roa there are numerous accommodations from 25
euros per person and night (almost open scale upwards). The island's
only campsite is also located there (just south of the center on the
coast). Otherwise, camping is forbidden for non-residents anywhere on
the island, including Anakena. In order to camp cheaper or on private
property, you should know the locals personally.
Climate
The climate is oceanic and mild and
relatively dry. Temperatures range between 12 (at night in winter) and
30 degrees almost all year round. The water temperature stays
consistently above 18 degrees.