Have you ever seen a tiki figure and thought to yourself, "Wow, that looks like it came from another planet!" Well, that's exactly what the first Europeans probably thought when they laid eyes on these mysterious carvings. Just imagine how confused they must have been when they first arrived on the Marquesas Islands and saw these strange, humanoid figures staring back at them. It's like they were confronted with a whole new world of art and culture that they had never encountered before.
But what exactly is a tiki figure? Well, it's a carved wooden statue that was traditionally made by skilled craftsmen known as Tuhuna on the Marquesas Islands. These guys were not only talented wood carvers, but they were also experts in the art of tattooing. In fact, the Marquesas Islands have a long history of intricate geometric tattooing that is still practiced today. It's no wonder that Marquesan woodcraft is so highly prized and considered some of the best in all of French Polynesia.
Even famous French impressionist artist Paul Gauguin was a huge fan of tiki figures. He spent his final years on the Marquesas Islands and even died on the island of Hiva Oa, which is home to some of the largest tiki sculptures in French Polynesia. Now that's dedication!
But the tiki figure's roots go even deeper than the Marquesas Islands. According to Maori legend, Tiki was the first man created by Tane, the god of the forest and birds. One day, old Tiki came across a pond where the first woman just happened to be bathing, Marikoriko, who then went on to seduce Mr. Tiki (sounds like a man wrote this legend, if you ask me). Marikoriko went on to bear Tiki a child named Hine-hau-ataata.
Early Maori and Marquesas wood carvings have many similarities due to their shared ancestors. The Marquesas Islands were first colonized by Polynesians around 300 AD, while New Zealand was later settled by a different branch of Polynesians between 1320 and 1350. These Polynesians eventually developed the Maori culture and between 1500 and 1800, they created their own unique style of wood carving, incorporating elements from New Zealand's diverse flora, like ferns, into their designs. Even within New Zealand, carving styles varied between different tribes.
There's no denying that the Polynesians and Maori have rich and fascinating cultures, with a wealth of art and history to explore. They have produced some of the most skilled and creative wood carvers in the world, as well as some of the fiercest warriors. Even their weapons are works of art! So next time you come across a tiki figure, take a moment to appreciate the rich cultural history and artistic talent behind it.
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