Male figure (tiki) representing the deity Rongo

Mangarevan people

Not on view

This Mangarevan male tiki is associated with the deity Rongo (Hawai’i: Lono). Piercing through the sky on the arc of a rainbow, Rongo is responsible for the rains that sustain the vital breadfruit crop. Carved in the fullness of youth, this wooden figure references the agricultural abundance that was sought through the ritual presentation of the first fruits of the season to the gods. These ceremonies accompanied the appearance on the horizon of the cluster of stars known as Matariki (Pleiades).

#1701. Male Figure, Part 1

0:00
0:00

    Playlist

  1. 1701. Male Figure, Part 1
  2. 1754. Male Figure, Part 2
Male figure (tiki) representing the deity Rongo, Wood, Mangarevan people

This image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.