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- Traditional dance and music (Ura, haka and chant) — The heart of Tapati. Groups from across the island compete with dramatic choreography, percussion-driven chants and intricate costumes made from local feathers and tapa. It’s visceral and loud in the best way: you can feel the rhythm in your ribs, and the stories they tell are a direct link to Rapa Nui history and myth. (Personal favorite — I’ll gladly stand in the dust for a full evening of this.)
- Strength and skill competitions — These are not spectator sports you’ll see at a mall: think traditional tests of endurance and technique — canoe sprints, horse displays, stone-lifting and spear/throwing contests. They come straight out of the island’s practical past, so the moves are both impressive and meaningful, not just showy.
- Coronation,
- Traditional dance and music (Ura, haka and chant) — The heart of Tapati. Groups from across the island compete with dramatic choreography, percussion-driven chants and intricate costumes made from local feathers and tapa. It’s visceral and loud in the best way: you can feel the rhythm in your ribs, and the stories they tell are a direct link to Rapa Nui history and myth. (Personal favorite — I’ll gladly stand in the dust for a full evening of this.)
- Strength and skill competitions — These are not spectator sports you’ll see at a mall: think traditional tests of endurance and technique — canoe sprints, horse displays, stone-lifting and spear/throwing contests. They come straight out of the island’s practical past, so the moves are both impressive and meaningful, not just showy.
- Coronation, parades and the “reign” ritual — Each Tapati crowns a king and queen who act as cultural ambassadors during the festival. The selection and procession are full of pageantry, rivalries and storytelling; watching locals celebrate their leaders gives a great window into community ties and island politics (the friendly kind).
- Crafts, carving, tattooing and hands-on workshops — Local artisans set up stalls and demos on everything from wood carving and traditional carving motifs to body painting and tattooing practices. It’s one of the best chances to see how moai miniatures, jewelry and woven goods are made — and often you can sit down and try a technique yourself.
- Communal feasts, local food and the island backdrop — Tapati isn’t just performance; it’s also about sharing food cooked the old way (earth ovens and coastal grills), seafood and tubers. Combine that with parades that pass moai, basalt platforms and cliffside views, and the whole festival feels like a living tradition staged inside a postcard.
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Full day tour (South Coast)
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Private Tour: Full Day Easter Island Highlights
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Private Full-Day Easter Island Highlights North and West
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Private Full Day Tour on Easter island "The Highlights"
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Half Day Tour in Rapa Nui
2 Day Private Tour: Easter Island’s Cultural Heritage
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Small Group Wines and Flavours Guided Walking Tour
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The Great Awakening of the 15 Dawn in Ahu Tongariki
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Private Tour: Full-Day Easter Island Archeological sites
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Private Tour: 2 Half Days & 1 Full Day Easter Island Essentials
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Hi, I’m Johan (Netherlands 🇳🇱), the creator of TakeYourBackpack. Over the past decade, I’ve backpacked through 80+ countries across six continents, gaining extensive experience with independent travel, long-term trips, and overland routes.