Did you know that curanto is an ancestral tradition of Rapa Nui? In some cultures around the world, different techniques have been developed for these preparations. Our ancestors created the ‘umu (underground oven) to prepare their food.
This ancestral technique used basic resources: stones, fire, and banana leaves known as tauveve, which are used to cover the food not only to keep them warm but also to prevent them from getting dirty during preparation.
Today, remnants of these ‘umu can be found in various points on the island, evidenced by the number of structures used as ꞌumu that are preserved near the bases of ancient boat houses, caves used as bedrooms, near chicken coops or hare moa, and also beside ahu or ceremonial platforms, which are part of this open-air museum filled with archaeology and history.
It is believed that this food preparation method was carried by ancestors to southern Chile as they explored and navigated those waters, which is how the coincidence of the criollo curanto with the Rapa Nui ꞌumu came about. Additionally, the preparation method was adapted because in southern Chile it is prepared in a hole in the ground with hot stones and nalca leaves (large leaves), using seafood native to the area, tubers, and other products, unlike Rapa Nui, where due to the warmth of our sea there are no shellfish and only crustaceans such as the rape-rape and lobster are found.
SOURCE:
Costumbres y Vivencias en Rapa Nui, Felipe Pakarati Tuki.
Te ‘umu ‘i Rapa Nui, Felipe Pakarato, Rodrigo Paoa, Christián Madariaga.
Types of Curanto
In Rapa Nui culture, several ꞌumu or curanto of different types are made, each with different meanings. Here are descriptions of some of the most well-known that are still made today.
- ꞌUMU PAE: Made with carved stones or paeŋa in Rapa Nui language. Its lower half was buried in the ground to form a more or less square or circular concavity. It was used to prepare home-cooked meals, for certain rites or ceremonies (today it includes taro, fish, and/or meats, and sweet potatoes).
- ‘UMU HATU: Our ancestors made this to start practicing a skill or sport. Nowadays, it is done to begin an activity and ask for the blessing of the work from our ancestors or "Tupuna".
- ‘UMU HĀIPO-IPO: ꞌUmu or curanto of marriage, performed by the bride's father, her family, and the groom's family contribute with the food.
- ꞌUMU PĀPAKU: Pāpaku means funeral; this curanto is performed for the clan or mata family, excluding the closest relatives of the deceased person, with the aim of preventing the death of another member of the mata.
- ꞌUMU TAKAPŪ: Unlike ꞌumu pāpaku, this is performed and consumed by the closest relatives of the deceased person such as sons, daughters, siblings, etc.
