Page 2 of 2

When Rapa Nui (the big island) was discovered by white outsiders

Abstract of Thesis "Cuando el blanco descubrió Rapa Nui (isla grande)", Paloma Huke.

The nice Kanacas
The arrival of catholic missions brought a new way of life to the native people besides gave them help and support. Eugéne Eyraud, a French missionary member of the Sacred Heart Congregation in Chile, found out about mistreatments that the people were suffering on Easter Island. Therefore in 1864 (January 3), he arrived to the Easter Island after stopped in Tahiti (1863). Later, he was supported by brothers Hipólito Roussel, Gaspar Zumbohn and a brother that was named Escolán. The first buildings, baptizes, aids the patients and even the construction of the church in Hanga Roa begin in that period. The western lifestyle began to be implanted.

The influence of the Catholics missions as first agent of change was decisive in this ancient society. Its aim was " moralize and civilize those nice kanacas" taught them about good customs.

At the beginning of the XIXth century, the native population was divided by districts. It had approximately between 4.000 and 5000 inhabitants. The depletions of the island's population resulted from tribal wars and specially from the raids of Peruvian slavers. Therefore when Catholics missions arrived Easter island had only a population of 1.000 inhabitants (20%).

After French and Chilean government interceding to repatriate the natives that were victim of slavery, the number of inhabitants decreased again. The ancient social order and the hierarchical division system was broken by the increment of diseases such as smallpox or tuberculosis, besides to the population decreased.
In addition, ancient scholars named MAORI RONGORONGO, that kept the Easter Island's keys of knowledge and wisdom also disappeared.

Chilean Island
France didn't have interest about Easter island. Therefore, the Chilean naval captain, Policarpo Toro, took formal possession of the island in the name of the Republic of Chile in 1888. The Rapa Nui chief hand over their territory to Chilean but under agreement. As a symbolic meaning they gave them a tuft of grass which mean that they kept their inalienable and ancient right to the land.
However, the Chilean government didn't consider the agreement and register the whole of lands with the exception of the land that were inhabited for Rapa Nui people. Therefore land was rent and put out to tender. The titles deed were necessary to have possession of the land.
Later, Easter island was rent to Mr. Enrique Merlet (1897) who form the Williamson & Balfour Company and the island was turned into one vast sheep ranch.
In 1954, Williamson & Balfour company left the island and the Chilean Navy took over the running of Vaitea that is an area in the island.