Case file · Folklore / legend
Last birdman contest at Orongo
Each spring champions raced from the cliff village of Orongo to the islet of Motu Nui to bring back the first sooty tern egg, making their sponsor the sacred birdman (tangata manu) for a year; the last contest was held around 1866–67.
1866 CE · -27.19, -109.44 · status: official
The account
The cult honoured the creator god Makemake. Petroglyphs of birdmen cover rocks at Orongo. Missionaries ended the rite.