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On the road to Monoï, here's an unusual stopover that tells the story of this mythical oil. In the Vaiare valley, the roadside is home to the Ofaï Tahinu or ofaï Vainana Monoï stone. This sacred rock was used to make Monoi oil for kings and queens. The oil was prepared in a cavity dug into the top of the stone. The flesh of the dried coconut was crushed to obtain virgin coconut oil, and then the tiare flowers and other flowers and plants from the valley were left to macerate, perhaps even mixed with coconut crab brains. No one really knows, as Polynesian culture has no written records, only legends that have endured over time.
It was also on this sacred stone that women gave birth to children destined to become priests. They were then trained and enthroned in this sacred place. Near the Monoï stone, buried in the vegetation, lies the Ofai Pahou stone drum. This rock is two metres long and 1.20 m wide. One side has a hole fifteen centimetres in diameter. When this stone is tapped with the rib of a coconut leaf, a powerful sound resonates throughout the valley, informing the population of the imminent arrival of danger. This is an important milestone on the Monoï which takes you deep into the heart of the island to discover its secrets.
On the island of Aimeho, kings fought to conquer the island's domains. The most important battle was between Temaramanui and Parau de Haaroa. It took place at Opunohu. The hero Parau emerged victorious and took King Temaramanui's daughter, Vahineura, with him.
Parau was a bloodthirsty warrior. Vahineura gradually got used to his behavior and fell in love. After a while, they learned to be allies in the fight against their enemies:
When enemies came through the forest, they were killed by Parau. Those coming by sea were guided by Vahineura into the forest. After seducing them, Vahineura would lead them straight to the trap she had set. She would sleep with them to weaken them and then Parau would kill them. The plan went exactly to plan. There was a large, very smooth stone in the area. It was nicknamed the Ofai Tahinu and had a hole in the middle. Vahineura used it as a water reservoir for washing.
Honoura, the legendary giant hero, heard of the ambush and decided to travel to Moorea to fight Parau. As soon as he arrived, Honoura spotted Vahineura walking along the beach. She was carrying no weapon. Honoura wondered if she really was the terrifying woman who was killing all the warriors.
Landing on the beach, Honoura prepared his weapons. Vahineura approached without any sign of fear. They stood facing each other in mutual admiration. A feeling of love was felt between them. She led him straight to where she usually took all the warriors who were murdered. Having weakened Honoura like all the other warriors, Vahineura did not warn her husband, as she had fallen under the warrior's spell. Honoura, seduced in his turn, asked her if she had a husband. She replied that she didn't. He told her he had to go home, but would return with a gift.
Honoura returned to Tautira. Vahineura didn't forget that she was promised to Parau, and that the wedding was approaching. Still, she went to the beach every day to watch for Honoura's return. When Honoura returned, he saw no one on the beach. So he went to the place where they first fell in love, and again no one was there. He heard drums and headed towards them. When he arrived, to his surprise, he saw the wedding ceremony of Vahineura and Parau. By the time Vahineura knew Honoura was back, it was too late. He used a stone drum to warn Vahineura of his presence on the island. She hurried down the beach to follow him, but saw the pirogue getting further and further away. It was on the tip of Paetou that she found herself when her tears began to flow. They fell drop by drop onto a stone called Vainana.
A legend has existed on Moorea for many years. It's about a rock named Ofai Pahu (meaning "drum stone") located in the Vaiare valley. Hidden from view under the vegetation, this rock measures 2m long and 1.20m wide. Its most striking feature is the 15cm-diameter cylindrical hole drilled into one of its faces.
The stone drum or Ofai Pahu has become the stuff of legend, as it resonates when tapped with a coconut leaf (the central rib to be precise). The sound of the resonance is deep and profound.
The sound emitted by the stone drum, when struck, has several uses:
Whether for protection or for more mysterious purposes, the drum stone was used extensively, which is why it is now a Moorea legend.
Moorea's famous monoi stone is an unusual rock. Cubic in shape, it is easily recognized by the island's population, as well as by travelers.
The monoi stone, more commonly known as Ofai Tahinu, was once used to prepare the famous monoi oil. However, it also had a more spiritual aspect. Indeed, the birth of the island's future priests took place on this unusual stone.
This Ofa ora life stone was used for the flight of souls. It is said that souls who landed on it returned to their bodies. Other stones with the same virtues were found on the path of souls in Punaauia and on Mount Temehani.
Another stone can be found in Vaiare. It's an ofai pohe. This time, souls that landed on this stone no longer returned to the body.
A huge cubic stone with a circular cavity on top can be seen in the Vaiare valley.
A little further along the road, you can see the pierced Ofai Tahinu stone. This is the Vaiare monoi stone. The Ofai Tahinu stone is said to have been used to make monoi oil for the queen. This stone had a very spiritual role, unlike others. It was on this stone that future priests were born. It was then used for their training and enthronement. The Ofai Tahinu is one of the earliest Monoi-making instruments. It is one of Polynesia's most sacred relics.
Source : Tahiti heritage
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