Tapati Rapa Nui is a two-week long celebration of Rapa Nui's rich cultural heritage that takes place at the end of January or beginning of February each year. Though it was originally created as a music and poetry festival in 1975, those who participated in the festival realized its potential to showcase the islanders' Polynesian heritage in more fun, diverse, and exciting ways.

The strength of the islanders' roots is evident in the native dances, chants, and songs that are performed during the event. All kinds of competitions bring out the best local craftsmen, fishermen, athletes and artisans. Participants compete in areas like wood carving, spear fishing, weaving kai kai (string figures), and traditional body decoration. Some of the events, in particular fishing events, draw competitors from all around Polynesia.

With each passing year, new events are added to the vibrant festival's calendar of events. Some of the most recent additions include the ancient skills of stone-tool carving, creating shell necklaces, and carving the best small stone statue in a given amount of time. Competitors can also win a contest of the best-displayed local produce. An art exhibit of local wood carvings, paintings and photographs showcases the Rapa Nui style of artwork.

The sports competitions draw big crowds, and seeing is believing at some of the events. During the Haka Pei competition, based on an ancient Polynesian sporting event, competitors slide down a steep hill on the trunk of a banana tree wearing nothing but a loin cloth and body paint. Whoever gets furthest down the hill before falling off his "sled" is the winner. Other events include a swim-paddle-run event takes place at the lake at Rano Raraku where participants swim, then paddle on totora reed bundles across the lake, and finally race around it with a stick across their shoulders that has bundles of bananas dangling from each end. For this event too, only the traditional body paint and loin cloth is worn.

The festival wouldn't be complete without the traditional dance associated with cultures throughout the Polynesian Triangle. The most prestigious event, however, is probably the Queen of Tapati title. The queens ride on floats during the parade held toward the end of the two weeks, and she is crowned on the second to last night of the festival. On the last night, a second ceremony is held at the Tahai archaeological site, where torchlight and moonlight illuminate nude figures who chant and sing and place a second crown atop her head.

The Tapati Rapa Nui festival is one of the most exciting times to visit Easter Island. The celebration of Polynesian culture is a beautiful tribute to the island's rich history, and reminds you that you are, indeed, very far from mainland Chile.

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