Tangata manu

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The Tangata manu (the bird-man), is the winner of a traditional competition of the Easter Island people. The ritual was a competition to collect the first egg of the manutara from Motu Nui island.

This gave the leader of the winning clan the title of Tangata manu, and great power on the Island. This took place starting from the ceremonial city of Orongo, where the fittest from each clan went down the cliffs, swam in the sea, snatched an egg and had to go back up. Many of such competitors were killed by sharks or by falling.

Make-make was the chief god of the bird cult.