Mark's Pages

"Near the head of the valley, they came to a marae where about fifteen men sat on their heels, listening to a priest chanting to herald the Season of Plenty, while others cooked a pig and some breadfruit. Each of these men had several small plaits of coconut leaf at his feet, very like those that had been presented to Bligh during the parae ceremony; and a plaited band of coconut leaf around his wrist. When the priest chanted again, these men responded, and picking up their plaited coconut leaves, placed them at the foot of a pole which stood before them, covered with plaited coconut branch. Afterwards, they explained to Bligh that the god would eat their offerings of plantains and coconuts and be grateful. The summer solstice on 21 December was approaching, and they were preparing for the Para'a Matahiti ceremonies that would follow, when the first fruits of the breadfruit would be harvested and the gods would return to the island." — Anne Salmond, Bligh

This is one of many marae restored by Professor Sinoto.