Orongo Village

The Orongo village was the site of the Birdman cult celebrations. Once a year, young men representing the important families of the island would run down the steep and perilous cliff, swim out to the ragged Motu Nui island, search for an elusive egg from the sooty tern (this could take to multiple weeks), and have to swim back without breaking the egg. The winner and his family would have the honor of reigning over the island for the subsequent year.

There are a series of restored stone houses on this site, depicting the low dwellings where the Rapanui people slept and sought shelter during inclement weather. Accessible only through the very short and narrow entrance, the houses weren’t even tall enough for people to stand up in. The views of the Motu Nui island are spectacular from the village. Don't miss the magnificent carved petroglyphs depicting mystical half man–half bird characters.