Since 2021, the Unit of Intangible Heritage or 'Re’o Pa’ari' of the Indigenous Community Ma´u Henua has been dedicated to collecting stories, legends, narratives, toponymy, and other fundamental aspects of Rapa Nui culture and traditions. The objective of this work is to connect material and intangible heritage along a timeline that spans from the beginnings of our history to the present day. This has given life to the project 'Te Tomo Haŋa O Te Ariki Ko Hotu Matu´a ki Haŋa Rau,' where we annually commemorate the arrival of the first king Hotu Matu’a on July 7th at Haŋa Rau beach.

With a central focus on transmitting our traditions to younger generations, our unit has collaborated with educational institutions. Guided by our wise Joaquín “Niso” Tuki Tepano, we have had the privilege of working through coastal tour sessions, indicating toponymic names, and sharing stories and legends related to each location.

Ma’u Henua's idea is to create a robust database accessible in the future for various research and educational purposes, available to the heirs of this knowledge-rich and mystical culture. To achieve this, the team must cross-reference the foundational information with contributions from different sages who still carry part of the ancestral knowledge, considering all versions of the same narrative. Each story has a variant depending on the perspective of the person who experienced it, giving us a broader view of the context and conditions our ancestors faced.

The greatest challenge is to valorize every corner of our territory, and the race is against time. Each time one of our wise elders transitions to the spiritual world, we lose the opportunity to record part of our legacy, which plays the role of giving a sense of belonging to our children with their 'Kaiŋa.' The Moai is just a stone, but when it acquires a name and identity through stories, it becomes 'Ariŋa Ora o te Tupuna,' transcending time within the spiritual realm.

Māuru-uru!