The Temple

Having established a god, it was necessary to set aside some place where the correct observances could be carried out in an appropriate manner. For a family god a simple shrine consisting of an erected stone or post was quite sufficient. The stone or post marked a locality which was imbued with taboo. These simple shrines are present in various islands, and in New Zealand this simple form was retained as the general pattern.

In central, northern, and eastern Polynesia, the tribal and national gods were worshiped on more complex structures. The simple stone upright developed into a raised stone platform, and a paved court was made before it for the accommodation of a multiple priesthood and chiefly worshipers. The page 16raised platform was termed ahu, and the court was the marae. Social as well as religious functions were conducted on the open court, and elaboration in structure took various forms in different island groups. In New Zealand, a divorce took place between the ahu altar and the marae court. Religious observances took place at the ahu shrine outside the village, and social gatherings took place on the open space before the village guest house. This social court retained the name of marae.

In the west in Samoa and Tonga, the temple took the form of a house on a raised platform made on the same plan as a dwelling house. It was surrounded by a fence, and both the building and the enclosed space were taboo.