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Legends and Traditions of Easter Island

translated from Sebastian Englert's Leyendas
The Expedition of the Seven Explorers. The Expedition of the Seven Explorers.
Part II
He-kakata, he-oho-mai a te ara ahihitu. They laughed and all seven continued on their way here.
I-û'i-era te hônu, ku-oho-mai-ana te hihitu, he-oho-tako'a te hônu ahaho a te tai. When the turtle saw the seven coming towards here, it also followed travelling in the sea.
He-tu'u A'Ira, A'Raparega ki Ovahe, he-tu'u ananake, he-tike'a te one, one itiiti. Ira and Raparenga arrived at Ovahe, they all arrived and saw the sandy area, it was small.
He-vari-mai ki te paíga nei, ki Anakena, he-tike'a te one nuinui. He-koa, he-kakata, he-kî: "I-ana te maara o te Ariki O'Hotu Matu'a mo tomo kiuta". Then they went around to this side20, to Anakena, and saw the great sandy area. Happy, they laughed and said: "Here then, is King Hotu Matu'a's flat ground for disembarking inland."
He-turu ananake. Ku-tomo-á te hônu ki Hiro Moko. They all went down (to the sandy area). The turtle had already arrived at Hiro Moko21.
He-oho te kope ra'e Ko Ira, he-ketu-mai te honu, kai nae'i. The first youngster, Ira, went to pick up the turtle, but he could not move it.
He-oho karua, kai nae'i; he-oho katoru, kai gae'i; he-oho kahá, kai-gae'i, he-oho karima, kai gae'i, he-oho kaono, ka gae'i. The second one went, but he could not move it; the third went, but he could not move it; the fourth went, but he could not move it; the fifth went, but he could not move it; the sixth went, but he could not move it.
He-kî A' Ku'uku'u: "I a au te honu era he-nae'i-mai". Then A'Ku'uku'u said: "I must move this turtle!"
He-ki a Ira a Raparega: "Ka-oho, ka-ketu-mai!". He-oho Ku'uhu'u, he-ketu-mai, he-gae'i, he-amo, he-iri. Ira and Raparega said: "Go, pick it up!". Ku'uku'u went, picked up the turtle, threw it on his back and walked up (to the beach).
Ku-garoa-á te hônu te kî A'Ku'uku'u i aîa ana-gae'i-mai. The turtle had heard Ku'uku'u say how he just had to move it.
I-ava-ava era te hônu kiruga, he-hapaki hai kape'u. Hardly had it been lifted in the air, it gave him a blow with its fins.
He-mate, he-mamae, he-haguhagu. He was stunned, sick, he had trouble breathing.
He-oho-atu tou tika era, he-kakata o Ku'uku'u te pâpaku ku-mamae-á i te hônu; he-tupa-mai te pâpaku kiroto ki te karava, he-hakamoe. The others came near him, making fun of moribund Ku'uku'u, injured by the turtle; they carried him inside a low cave and put him to bed.
He-tere te hônu, he-hoki ki Hiva. He-kî-mai te reo o Ku'uku'u: "E-û'i korua, e ga hoa ê, e-û'i korua o hoa-ró i aau!". The turtle ran back to Hiva. Ku'uku'u said (to his companions): "Careful, friends, don't abandon me!"
He-kî ananake: "Ina matou ekó hoa i akoe". He-reoreo; he-to'o-mai i te ma'ea, hehakatu'u i te pipihoreko: katahi pipihoreko, karua pipihoreko, katoru, kahá, karima, eono pipihoreko me'ea. They all said: "We will not abandon you." It was a lie; they took stones and made stone mounds, one, two, three, four, five, six mounds.
He-kî ananake aono ki te ma'ea: "Ana ûi-mai A'Ku'uku'u: "he korua, e ga hoa ê?" ka-ragi korua: "I matou". The six said to the stones: "When Ku'uku'u asks 'where are you, friends?', answer (in our place): 'we are here.'"
He-kî te ma'ea: "Kumao-á". The stones said: "O.K.!"
He-hoa i A'Ku'uku'u, he-tetere-mai, he-oho-mai a te ara, he-tu'u ki Hagaroa. They left Ku'uku'u alone and went away; walking by, they arrived at Hangaroa.
He-û'i A'Ku'uku'u: "Hé korua?" He-ragi-atu te pipihoreko: "I matou". He-koa Ku'uku'u. Ku'uku'u asked: "Where are you?". The mounds answered him: "We are here." Ku'uku'u was pleased.

Note 20. Going around two hills that stand between Ovahe and Anakena.

Note 21. Part of Anakena Bay.


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