Tikis souriant suivre les indications, Stone carvings in Atuona, French Polynesia
The Smiling Tikis are stone figures carved with varying facial expressions and positioned along walking paths near Atuona in the Marquesas Islands. Each sculpture displays distinctive proportions and sits within the island's mountainous terrain.
These stone figures were created in the centuries before European contact and reflect the spiritual practices of the ancient Polynesian population. They survived the colonial period and retain much of their original form today.
The stone figures display traditional carving methods from the Marquesas, featuring large heads and crossed arms that reflect how ancient artisans shaped their spiritual beliefs into form. These sculptures served as focal points for community gatherings and religious observances among island inhabitants.
Visitors can reach the stone figures by following walking trails from Atuona, which are accessible from the main settlement. It helps to go with a local guide who can point out the routes and explain what you are seeing.
The stone figures retain their original hands with six fingers each, a rare feature among Polynesian sculptures that survived colonial times. This anatomical detail makes them stand out from other similar works found across the region.
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