Marae Fare Opu

Unfortunately part of this valuable cultural monument has been lost under the road and the remaining part is unsightly, it might resemble a common pile of stones.

Marae of Bora Bora

Marae is a specific Polynesian cultural monument. In the Leeward Islands, most marae are rectangular, raised areas where the outer walls are laid with upright stones. Inside such rectangle is raised altar part (ahu), which is clad with stones.

Marae were used by Polynesians for ceremonial gatherings, such as religious rituals, important weddings, celebrations of military victories, enthronement of kings.

Earlier in Bora Bora were 42 such structures, some 13 still can be seen today.

Largest marae in Bora Bora

Marae Fare Opu once was the largest in Bora Bora and was built in the 15th or 16th century as a royal ceremonial center. The land where it stands still belongs to the same family, which ruled in this part of Bora Bora in the times when marae was built.

In the construction of this marae were used especially large slabs of coral limestone and the enormous ahu was 25 m long.

Petroglyphs

Two stones on the facade of ahu – in the center and to the right – are adorned with roughly cut petroglyphs depicting turtles. Turtles were sacred to ancient Polynesians, often used as ritual offering to the gods. Polynesian petroglyphs very often show turtles.

Disruption of the monument

Dismantling of this ancient monument started in 1820, when the missionary J. M. Osmond ordered to build the Vaitape pier. But the most disastrous consequences were left by the construction of the road along the sea in the 20th century – the court of marae now is under this road.

Although important part of Fare Opu remains, one can ask – was it not possible to choose a bit different route for the road?

References

1. Tahiti Heritage. Marae Fare Opu et pétroglyphes. Accessed on December 17, 2011.