A tiki head has gone missing from the ceremonial site of Upeke, in the valley of Taaoa on Hiva Oa.  The most visited site on Hiva Oa, Upeke consists of a tohua, or a monumental stone complex once used for festivals and dance performances, and an associated me’ae, or sacred site, known as Pata.  Pata has been identified as a sacred (tapu) area of Upeke, but this is where the lost tiki head was located.  The head disappeared from its place a few days ago.  This is the second time the site has been vandalized in two years.  Last year the ear of a basalt tiki that stands nearby was slashed by a machete blade.

Read more in French here: http://www.ladepeche.pf/article/marquises/le-site-ceremoniel-de-upeke-encore-profane

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