The Birdman ceremony was a ritual competition held every year on Easter Island.

It was dedicated to Make-Make, the creator god and main deity of the Rapa Nui pantheon. The competition took place at the ceremonial village of Orongo, on the rim of the Rano Kau volcano crater, overlooking the islet of Motu Nui, where the main part of the event happened.

Each year, the island's clans chose a competitor to represent their chief. Participants had to climb down the steep cliff from the village to the ocean and swim to Motu Nui, facing sharks and dangerous currents. Once on the islet, they had to find the first egg of the sooty tern, a seabird that nested there.

The first competitor to find an egg, bring it back to the island unbroken and hand it intact to his sponsor was declared the Birdman. The winning chief gained power and prestige and became the religious and political leader of the island for one year, until the next ceremony.

The ceremony strengthened social cohesion and allowed a peaceful transfer of power between clans, avoiding violent conflict.

- 50 cm long.

- 387 knots tied by hand by my mother (yes, she counted them...)

- Coloured waxed thread.

- High-quality silver-plated pendant with enamel colours.

To make it last as long as possible, avoid contact with water, sweat, lotions and perfumes <3