Visit from Rapa Nui
Six high school students, aged 16 to 18 years from the Liceo Aldea Educativa Rapa Nui (School of Education Village Rapa Nui of Easter Island) visited the Embassy on 22 August 2008. They were accompanied by their teacher Ana Reyes, volunteer Josephine Brennan and from the Chilean Education Ministry Francesca Hanshing. The students were in Santiago to participate in an English debate competition organised by the Chilean Ministry of Education.
The visit to the Embassy of Malaysia in Santiago was arranged by an MTCP alumna as part of the Embassy's on-going outreach effort to create awareness about Malaysia to Chilean students. During the visit, the delegation was given a briefing on Malaysia and a power point presentation on Why Study in Malaysia.
The visit was indeed an eye opener to the students. Most of them did not know about Malaysia and were surprised to hear that some anthropologists believe that the Rapa Nui (indigenous people of the Island) and the Malays are from the same Polynesian race. as the Hawaiians, Samoans, Maoris and Tahitians. The students performed a brief yet graceful traditional Rapa Nui dance at the end of the visit for the Ambassador in appreciation.
The students and the teachers were also invited to lunch at the Residence. One of the students even cooked some fishes which he brought from Rapa Nui. They had a game of ping pong after the lunch. It was an enjoyable and memorable afternoon for the students.
Rapa Nui (Easter Island) is one of the world's most isolated inhabited islands and famous for the giant stone monoliths the Moai statues dotting the coastlines of Rapa Nui. The Polynesian island is located at 3,600 km west of continental Chile. Forming a triangle 22.5 km long by 11.26 km wide, it has an area of 163 square km with its highest point, Mount Terevaka, at 600 meters above sea level.
The island was annexed by the government of Chile on 9 September 1888 with a signed treaty named Treaty of Annexation of the Island (Tratado de Anexión de la Isla). On 30 July 2007, a constitutional reform gave Easter Island and Juan Fernández Islands the status of special territories of Chile.
Welcoming remarks from the Ambassador.
Some anthropologies believe that the Malays and Rapa Nuians are from the same Polynesian race such as the Maoris, Tahitians, Hawaiians, Samoans and Pacific islanders. Ambassador welcomed them as long lost brothers and sisters.
Promoting Malaysia as the Centre of Excellence
The students performing the traditional Rapa Nui dance for the Ambassador
One for the album
Bagful of goodies.
Treating the students to home cooked Malaysian meal at the residence.
Aku Ika (literally means "Aku Ikan" in Malay. Coincidence'). Aku Ika rides horses, does fishing but also plays the guitar and sings.
Told you he plays the guitar and sings well.
Ping pong diplomacy.
The giant stone monoliths Moai (Photo courtesy of Sonia Carolina)
Photo courtesy of PsychoRatDog
One of the many traditional dances of Rapa Nui
Courtesy of University of Texas
www.kln.gov.my/perwakilan/santiago