The northeast of Rapa Nui
Tukuturi, an unusual moai, with a beard and kneeling posture, used by men and women forming the chorus in festivals called riu, where the posture was known as tuku riu. Typical also of the singers was the slightly backward inclination of the trunk, the raised head, and the goatee, all also seen in the statue. It is made of red scoria from Puna Pau, but sits at Rano Raraku, the tuff quarry. It is possibly related to the Tangata manu (Birdman) cult, in which case it would be one of the last moai ever made. It seems likely that this statue represents a riu singer and was made after the production of classic statues had ceased.
Photo by Ludo Kuipers, Mon Oct 07, 1985