Polynesian Mythology

A black and white line engraving shows several large, intricately carved Māori wooden posts, known as pou [carved boundary or ancestor posts], standing in an outdoor setting. The central and tallest carving features a large ancestor figure at the top. This figure has prominent facial features and spiral patterns on the shoulders and abdomen. Below this main figure is another smaller carved face and a rectangular opening that serves as a gateway. Two individuals wearing traditional Māori cloaks, called kākahu, stand in the distance and are visible through this opening. To the left is a secondary carved post topped with a standing figure. To the right is a shorter carved post featuring a squatting figure with its tongue protruding, set against a taller, weathered wooden slab. The ground is covered with grass and low-lying vegetation.

Original: "KOHINEMUTU ROTORNA." The OCR contains a spelling error for the location Rotorua and the village of Ohinemutu.

Glossary of terms related to this image:
Kohinemutu [Ohinemutu]: A major Māori settlement and marae located on the shores of Lake Rotorua.
Rotorua: A region in the North Island of New Zealand known for its geothermal activity and as a heartland of Te Arawa culture.
Māori: The indigenous Polynesian people of mainland New Zealand.
Whakairo: The traditional art of Māori carving in wood, stone, or bone.
Pou: A post or pillar, often carved to represent ancestors or to mark boundaries.
Kākahu: Traditional Māori clothing or highly valued woven cloaks.