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Description of Tangata manu competition
Tangata Manu competition was originally a religious celebration and praise for the birdmen god Make Make. Later, with the emergence of new clans led by matato’a or warrior leaders, the ceremony took on a more political character, evolving into a system that allowed the warrior class to justify its rule.
Military leaders were chosen from among the winners of the annual competition, not for hereditary or warlike reasons. The competition consisted of obtaining a sacred egg and with an egg tied to the men’s forehead, the contestant had to swim to the sacred island Orongo. The man had to fight to keep the egg intact, to get rid of the waves crashing against the rocks, and not to fall during the ascent. Sometimes participants died during the test.
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