We particularly enjoy reporting on the customs, traditions and culture of Rapa Nui, Easter Island, place of origin of our cosmetic brand Anakena.
Today we would like to tell you how the beautiful costume made of blue shells or beetle snails was created, which our model Ariana wore at our last photo shoot.
On Rapa Nui, since the beginning of human settlement, it has been common to use the natural resources of the island and the sea, not only to feed themselves, but also to make tools, vessels, clothing and jewelry. The small tissue animals used to create this costume are known as "mama azul" on Easter Island, their scientific name is "Chiton tuberculatus linne 1758". By the way, the age of this group of mollusks is estimated at 500 million years!
The beetle snails, which are about 40 mm in size and active at dusk, live under the surface of the water in the sea on rocks and coasts, where they are collected by the Rapa Nuis (the Easter Islanders) with knives or other sharp objects. To clean the beetle snails, it is necessary to put them in a pot of cold water, place it on the open fire or stove and bring it to a boil. Once the water reaches boiling point, remove the pot from the hearth and let the beetle snails cool. Then they are rinsed so that they lose their shells. Finally, they are washed with detergent and dried so that the little polyplacophora show their wonderful bright blue color and can be used to make beautiful costumes - like that of our enchanting model Ariana.
