Moai Wood Carving Workshop

With this moai workshop, participants learn to carve ancestral figures from the Rapa Nui culture on wood and discover the importance of these enigmatic statues from Easter Island. At the end of the session, each individual takes home their unique creation.

Workshop Details

At the arranged time, attendees will meet near Vai Kia Kia Street in Hanga Roa, where we'll find the artist's house. The artist will lead participants through the ancestral art of carving moai statues in wood. This practice serves as an expression of Rapa Nui identity, resistance, and memory.

After introductions, the workshop begins with a discussion about the significance of moai statues. These monumental figures symbolize the guardians of each clan and act as protectors of Easter Island's culture. Following this, we'll begin the manual work and familiarize ourselves with the traditional tools used in the workshop.

We will learn how to select appropriate wood and make our initial cut. The expert will instruct on starting strong and precise. Attendees will trace the outlines, shaping the figure with each blade pass. Once comfortable, we will advance to the Pao, which is the most physically demanding phase, where we remove large sections to define the silhouette of the moai.

As the carving progresses, participants will notice their structure developing a prominent head, straight nose, and firm chin. Subsequently, attention shifts to the fine features, such as marked eyebrows and closed lips, creating a meditative atmosphere.

After this 2-hour workshop, attendees will say their goodbyes and depart with the piece they crafted.