Pu o Hiro (which means Hiro's Trumpet) is a stone on Easter Island that was used as a musical instrument by the ancient Rapa Nui. [1] [2] It is also known as Maea Puhi ("stone to blow" or "wind stone"). [1] [3] When blown through its main hole, it would produce a sound that resembled a trumpet. [1] It was used to invoke Hiro, the deity of rain. [1] [4]
Pu o Hiro is approximately 1 to 1.25 meters tall. [1] [3] It is a stone aerophone. [1] It is an ovoid rock with multiple natural holes. [3] There is one main hole that was used to blow and three outlet holes. [1] The main hole is natural and located at the top of the stone. [2]
The stone has multiple petroglyphs. [3] Some include vulva forms known as komari, a symbol of fertility. [1] [2] [5]
Pu o Hiro had multiple uses, although it is not clearly defined. [1] It had been used to invoke Hiro, the rain deity. [6] It was also used to summon a gathering of neighbors. [2] [7] It also could have warned of a potential enemy attack. [3] It may also have been fishing talisman, used to make sounds that would attract fish to the shoreline. [2] [7] Additionally, it was a war trophy, moved around the island by the victors in battle. [2] It may have also been used for fertility rituals. [1] [2]
Around 1250 to 1500 CE, the Pu o Hiro was located in Hanga Roa which was the main village. [2] Today, the stone sits in a plain near Hanga o Honu. [3] A legend states that it was brought there from Hanga Roa by a raiding party of Tupa-hotu warriors. [5] It is located near the north coast road. [1] Traveling eastward, it would be a few feet from the right side of the road. [2] It is fenced off to discourage tourists from disrupting it. [2]
During times of drought, the Ariki Paka (subordinate chiefs) would hold a ceremony. [1] They would dress dress up in ceremonial clothing. [1] They would pray for rainfall and chant the following song: [1]
E te uá, matavai-roa a Hiro-é
(The rain, the great tears of Hiro)
ka hoa mai koe kiraro
(Send us down)
ka rei mai koe kiraro
(Pour down)
e te u´a matavai-roa a Hiro-é
(The rain, the great tears of Hiro)