Tiki: Then and Now
Tiki in Polynesia
Ancient Polynesian peoples created human images, called tiki in Marquesan and several other Polynesian languages. The word tiki in Marquesan refers to a human image. Tiki represented a variety of supernatural beings, including gods, ancestors, and spirits. While each culture had its own distinctive imagery, tiki across Polynesia shared many stylistic features. The enlarged heads reflected the importance of the head as the primary seat of mana (supernatural power).
Tiki of the Past
Fish tiki
The tiki were used ritually to ensure the success of fishing expeditions, and were discovered in Vaitahu (loaned by Mr. Tehaumate Tetahiotupa; loaned by Mr. Joseph Barsinas).
Double tiki
Found in Hanatetena Valley and loaned by Mr. Tehaumate Tetahiotupa.
The Tiki of Poupou
The tiki heads were found at the me’ae (religious site) at Poupou in the back of Vaitahu valley, near the ancient village center. The tiki heads were found near a sacred banyan tree.
The distinctive faces of the tiki suggest they depict individual deified ancestors. Three of the tiki heads have facial tattoos, rarely shown on Marquesan tiki.
Modern Wooden Tiki
Tiki created for the opening of the museum in 1998 and carved from tou wood by Teiki Barsinas.
Tiki donated to the Commune of Tahuata by the delegation of the other Marquesas Islands during the festival “Matavaa o te Fenua Enata” (2017).
