Haka Pei: Easter Island's Ancient Extreme Sport That Sends Warriors Racing Down a Volcano

Take two banana tree trunks, lash them together, point them downhill and jump on board.  Get your mates involved and turn it into a competition.  You might not associate Easter Island with extreme sports, but they have been part of the island's culture for centuries (with the occasional hiatus).  There is no doubt that the highlight of the annual Tapati Rapa Nui Festival is the Haka Pei competition. Although the festival also celebrates Rapa Nui culture through singing, swimming, cooking demonstrations and countless other events, few can compete with the spectacle of hurtling down the side of an extinct volcano wearing nothing more than a loincloth and body paint. Image Credit

The origins of this sport trace back to an ancient Rapa Nui rite of passage, where young people tested their courage by taking on the daring haka pei descent. Completing the challenge proved they possessed the bravery and resilience expected of adults, earning some the status of matato'a - elite warriors. In this tradition, the haka pei marked the passage from childhood into adulthood.

Another account tells a different story. Rather than a coming-of-age ritual, the haka pei may have been a form of warrior training, designed to instil fearlessness and prepare fighters for clashes between rival clans on the island.

Does the exact origin of the sport matter?  Not to the huge crowds gathered at the bottom of the hill, waiting to see how each of the twenty or so competitors will fare.  Who will travel the furthest? Or who will be unfortunate and be flung off their fragile sled half-way down?  The anticipation is huge, not least among the competitors, and it is great to see how they congratulate each other so enthusiastically when their mission is complete.  The hill is covered in grass, but beneath that thin layer lies volcanic tuff capable of breaking bones when riders crash. And crashes do happen. As you might imagine, health-and-safety officials are not among Haka Pei's biggest fans. However, it all seems the height of fun for young men with more courage than common sense!  Flippancy aside, I can’t think of a better way to keep an ancient culture alive.  Watch the video below to enjoy haka pei in all its glory for yourself.