MUSIC & DANCE GROUP FROM EASTER ISLAND

 

Matato’a (the watchful eye of the warrior) is the most famous musical and dance group from Rapa Nui (Easter island- Chile).

This most isolated island of the world, lost in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, very famous by his giant and enigmatic stones : the Moai.

This familial group is born in 1996 by the initiative of Kevamatato’a Atan.

Its principal motivation is to promote the ancestral traditions, the dances, the costumes, the body paintings of Rapa Nui.

This perfect fusion of modern instruments (guitars, keyboard, battery) and traditional ones (stones, horse jaws, bombo, etc.) gives various, enjoyable repertories of different music and song styles (Rapa Nui, Polynesian, Reggae, Latino, Rock, etc.).
 
They mix the styles also in their stage costumes wearing personnel modern clothes, traditional costumes (feathers and natural fibbers) and takona (corporal identity painting) always created by them. They impress, attract and lead to the dance everyone during their show with their dance music, the “HOKO” (dances and songs to express the Mana) and personal choreographies renew at each concert.

Matato’a has started its musical career in 1997, by recording the music generic “E nua e koro” of the television serie “Iorana” (Chilean television production TVN). Tehy decided to record their first CD “TAMA’I” (“No to war”), in reference of the many ancestral wars in their island. This album gathers Rapa Nui traditional songs adapted by them and original compositions.

In October 1999, they recorded their second album “HERE MA’OHI” (“Union of the Pacific people”).

In September 2000, they recorded their third CD “TE PITO O TE HENUA” (“The navel of the world”) in reference of the island name given by their inhabitants.

Help by the dynamic of the tourism of Rapa Nui and their participation of many Art festivals, music concerts and TV broadcasts around the Pacific, Matato’a began to be know internationally.
In June 2001, they filmed their third video clip “Tama’i” (Mangrove production) and were the guest stars of the Music festival in Papeete.

The public and the press critic were unanimous “Matato’a put the fire on the scene!»

On November 2001, they continue to attract more and more public on their concert in Nouméa (New-Caledonia), played on a stage put on the sea, under the stars sky… After, They’ve been invited on the Rainforest Music festival in Borneo.

In 2003, they performed on the Austronesian Festival in Taiwan, where they’ve shown proudly the particularities of their culture.

In 2003, they sold their first compilation : « MA’OHI », (« Fusion Natura » licensed with EMI in Chile), with their third video clips.

They whish to promote their music & culture everywhere in the world. Dream, which became reality when they started their first world tour in 2003 : Taiwan, Mexico, Europe and Nouvelle-Zealand.

After their Europe tour, they recorded their fifth album « TATOO », dedicated to all the cultures in the world which have Tatoo. More modern but retaining the goal to mix different music styles with their polynesian roots.

So, the originality of Matato’a lies in its ability to combine modern rhythm and instruments with the ancestral songs of Rapa Nui. In this way, the traditions remain alive because they’re listened to by the young generations and, with the translations (on the CD), by everyone around the world.
This peaceful Pacific “warriors” represent proudly their island and one day Rapa Nui island will be know not only by the Moai…!