Marae Tefana I Ahura'i

Tefana i Ahura’i a Tama marae is an ancestral marae of canoe builders in Faa'a. It is an important religious site of the Tupuna cult and is dedicated to the god Ta'aroa (the god of creation). This makes it one of the most important marae in Faa'a.

It was built by the grand priest Tu Atu in the reign of Prince Teriivaetua i ahura’i. The name of the marae makes reference to the members of the royal family to whom it belonged:
Tefana, the father and king of Pare.
Ahura’i, the mother and queen of Tetaha.
Tama, the son and prince of Tetaha.

The marae is oriented towards Antares, the brightest star in the constellation of Scorpius, known as “Te matau a Maui” (Maui’s hook) in Tahitian astrology. It is the star used by the ancient Polynesians to guide them on their voyages across the ocean.

The marae was restored by the ministry of culture in 1980.