Bird Man (Tangata Manu)

Tangata Manu is a Rapa Nui term that means “bird-man” in English. It was the title given to the winner of a traditional competition held on Easter Island. The competition took place during the spring season, usually in September, when the sooty terns would lay their eggs on the islet of Motu Nui. It was held to determine the new leader of the Rapa Nui People for the coming year. The competition was a grueling one, and the participants had to swim to the islet, find the first egg laid by the sooty terns and then swim back to the mainland with the egg intact. The first person to do so was declared the winner and was given the title of Tangata Manu.