Free Murder on Easter Island by Gary Conrad Page B

to settle the bill, and they both stood and walked out to their vehicles.
    That evening Daniel again paid a visit to his now-favorite Rapanui, Tiare. As they sat in the living area sipping hot tea mixed with honey and milk, Daniel asked, “Tiare, why is it that some call you Crazy Tiare?”
    Her wrinkled face broke out into a big smile. “Do some still call me that?”
    Daniel grinned.
    “Well,” she said, “I suppose it’s because I like to tell stories of old Rapa Nui. These tales must sound crazy at times, but my people often forget that the legends of our culture are ingrained within us, no matter how outlandish they sound today.”
    Daniel said, “I’d like to hear more.”
    “Very well, then — I will try to blend the mythology of Rapa Nui with what historians tell us. The tales I have heard when I was a child — and there are many — are mixed in with this telling. Are you ready?”
    “I’m listening.”
    Tiare had a faraway look in her eyes as she related, “Legend tells us that the first chief who led his people to our island was Hotu Matu‘a, who lived on what we now believe was Mangareva in Polynesia. His clan had lost a number of battles to a nearby clan, so he asked Haumaka, his shaman, to dream and find a new location they could travel to and live.
    “In his dream, it is said that Haumaka saw our unspoiled isle. He told Hotu Matu‘a of his vision, and six scouts were sent to find it. Many miles of ocean southeast of Mangareva they discovered their future home and felt it was ideal for colonization.”
    “When was Rapa Nui actually settled?”
    “Sometime between 600 CE and 800 CE—”
    Daniel interrupted, “CE?”
    Tiare explained, “Common Era. It is a term often used in place of AD by those who wish to be sensitive to non-Christians. Likewise, ‘Before the Common Era,’ BCE, is used as an alternative to BC. Understand?”
    Daniel nodded.
    “Our legends state that two large canoes were built, one captained by Hotu Matu‘a and the other by Tu‘u ko Iho. Historians tell us that these canoes were large enough to hold up to forty people each.”
    “Pretty big canoes.”
    “Bigger than I’ve ever seen,” she added. “And in these canoes were all the supplies necessary to begin a new Polynesian society.”
    “Such as?”
    “Many different food plants, as well as paper mulberry — for making barkcloth for clothing. As far as animals on board, the most important was the chicken. Likely there were also pigs and dogs, and even the Polynesian rat, which could be eaten.”
    “Eat a rat?”
    “Obviously you’ve never tried one. When I was a child there were many times of hunger, but one thing there was plenty of was rats. The rumor is true — they do taste like chicken.” Tiare laughed at the look of disgust on Daniel’s face.
    Tiare continued, “While legend tells us the first landing was at ‘Anakena, the early settlers eventually migrated to the southwest part of the island, where bird meat and eggs were plentiful.
    “From their Polynesian roots, the islanders brought with them a similar social order. The noblemen were called ‘ariki, while the most exalted of this class was the ‘ariki mau, who was considered to be a living deity and had absolute authority. The ‘ariki mau always came from the royal Miru clan.
    “Next in line were the shamans, who were not only respected but also feared because of their spiritual powers. Following the shamans were the masters of stone and wood carving, and last were the commoners, which included farmers and fishermen.”
    Daniel said, “About shamans. They are also in our Native American culture, though I don’t know a lot about them. What exactly does a shaman do?”
    Tiare answered, “A shaman is one who acts as an intermediary between the natural and supernatural worlds. They might use magic to cure illnesses or even foretell the future.”
    “I see.”
    “And so, as my ancestors populated the island they formed clans, and legend