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Traditionally, a venue for meetings, sacrifices, ceremonies
and functions for the Ariki (High Chief). There are a number
of maraes located in various villages of the islands of
the Cook Islands, usually located inland. The marae is sacred
ground, and belongs to the royal families.
There is a marae for every high cheif (ariki), a number
of them have been destroyed over the years, however, there
are still a few that still exist.
According to ancient belief, only members of the royal family
that the marae belongs to may enter its grounds. If a stranger
or persons not personally escorted or invited to the sacred
ground by a family member, should set foot on this sacred
ground they are cursed.
Today, there are various organised tours that take the
visitor onto a marae and the history explained. Visitors
are discouraged to enter the grounds of a marae unescorted.
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