Traditional musical dance of Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
History
Pu o Hiro
The Rapa Nui used an ancient stone aerophone called the Pu o Hiro (Trumpet of Hiro) for fertility rituals and to call the Polynesian god of rain Hiro.[1] By blowing through the main hole it emits a deep Trumpet sound.[1] During droughts, the Ariki Paka (nobles) would dress in ceremonial clothing and pray for rainfall.[1] They chanted the following song:[1]
E te uá, matavai-roa a Hiro-é
(The rain, the great tears of Hiro)
ka hoa mai koe kiraro
(Send us down)
ka rei mai koe kiraro
(Pour down)
e te u´a matavai-roa a Hiro-é
(The rain, the great tears of Hiro)
Music school
The first music school on the Easter Island was opened in 2012 by Mahani Teave, and teaches piano, cello, ukulele, and violin.[2][3]
