Key Info

- The winner of the ritualistic Egg Collection Contest was anointed the prestigious title of "Bird-Man"

- The Egg Collection Contest was the focal point of the Birdman Cult giving the winner's tribe political and religious power for the following year

Brief Bio

The Tangata manu (Rapa Nui: taŋata manu; lit. 'birdman') was the winner of a traditional ritual competition on Rapa Nui (Easter Island) to collect the first sooty tern (manu tara) egg of the season from the nearby islet of Motu Nui, swim back to Rapa Nui, and climb the sea cliffs of Rano Kau to the clifftop village of Orongo.