1. Moai (pronounced Mo-Eye)

Stone statues found on Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Moai statues are monoliths (created from a single piece of stone), sculpted by the inhabitants of Easter Island over a thousand years ago.

The exact purpose of the Moais is shrouded in mystery, but it is generally believed that they represented deceased ancestors, living personages (e.g. kings), or family symbols.

Moais are huge structures, weighing thousand of pounds each. They were not created in situ, but rather at a quarry called Rano Raraku, and subsequently moved. Based on the notion that the native islanders did not have access to sophisticated tools, there is a lot of debate around how the large statues were actually moved. The most common theory is that the islanders used a combination of log rollers lubricated with sweet potatoes, ropes, and sheer manpower.

It is often believed that Moais consist only of heads, but many actually have shoulders and torsos. The lower portions of the statues have been obscured by soil settling around the base of the Moais. A few Moais are topped with a cylindrical-shaped, red cap called a Pukau. In recent years, various individuals and groups have attempted to ascertain exactly how the islanders were able to create, move, and set up the massive Moais. Although some theories have greater credibility than others, there is yet no definitive answer.

2. Moai

A particular style of Tiki mug, that is inspired by the Moai figures from Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

Moai tiki mugs are one of the most prevalent and common types of mugs. The Moai design is so strongly associated with Tiki mugs, that it is often generically referred to as Tiki style.

Moai tiki mugs only generally emulate the look of Easter Island Moais. However, despite the minimalist style of the mugs, there are a large number of variations on the Moai design. The Moai design is extremely common and readily found. A Tiki enthusiast could build an entire collection of only Moai-designed mugs.






Updated June 28, 2004