Church on Easter Island

In an earlier post, I alluded to the Sunday church service on Easter Island. There is a single church in the town, which was built after the Catholics arrived 1866. Rapanui culture is rich with tradition, so the missionaries wisely decided to integrate native traditions with their own. The blend survives to this day, creating a vibrant experience pulsating with Rapanui music. On an islander's recommendation, I sat up front so I could witness the musicians play. They ambled in one by one, toting their sundry instruments, reveling in the service at appropriate points. The priest led a proper service in Spanish and Latin, but at certain moments would pause and look toward the musicians, all gathered in one spot, whereupon they played a well-rehearsed tune. They played about six or seven songs throughout the service, and basically jammed while people arrived and departed. Below is a video of them after the end of the service.