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The Rongorongo of Easter Island

The Lunar Calendar: The Names of the Nights


The U.S.S. Mohican dropped anchor in Hanga Roa Bay on the west coast of Easter Island, on December 18th, 1886, and left at 7 a.m. on December 31st. The lunar calendar collected by Thomson covers a period November 27th to December 26th. Note how the month had only 29 nights at the time of Thomson's visit (missing is Hiro).

Kokore tahi (first Kokore) November 27 Kokore toru (third Kokore) December 13
Kokore rua (second Kokore) November 28 Kokore hâ (fourth Kokore) December 14
Kokore toru (third Kokore) November 29 Kokore rima (fifth Kokore) December 15
Kokore hâ (fourth Kokore) November 30 Tapume December 16
Kokore rima (fifth Kokore) December 1 Matua December 17
Kokore ono (sixth Kokore) December 2 Orongo, last quarter December 18
Maharu, first quarter December 3 Orongo taane December 19
Ohua December 4 Mauri nui December 20
Otua December 5 Mauri Kero December 21
Ohotu December 6 Omutu December 22
Maure December 7 Tueo December 23
Ina-ira December 8 Oata December 24
Rakau December 9 Oari, new moon December 25
Omotohi, full moon December 10 Kokore tahi (first Kokore) December 26
Kokore tahi (first Kokore) December 11
Kokore rua (second Kokore) December 12

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