Maori Myths & Legends

Forward - Book One - Book Two - Book Three

-Book One-
- Creation of the Universe - Clash of the Immortals - Tane and the Whatukura - Legacy of Tane - Journey of the Wairua -

Creation of the Universe
Based on Sir Peter Buck

In the age before time there was no Earth. There was no sky, no trees, animals, or people. There were no divine beings. All that was, was nothingness. Born unto this void was Rangi, and Papatuanuku, his lover. Thus they embraced, and soon they produced offspring. But these children were born into a prison; they were trapped within the suffocating embrace of their parents. It was imperative that something be done, before they were all killed. Tuamatauenga insisted Rangi and Papatuanuku be killed for their insolence and selfishness. However, Tanemahuta had a different plan. He proposed that, rather than killing their parents, whom they loved dearly, they instead try and separate them. So one after another his brothers tried, and one after another they failed. Just as they were about to give in to defeat and try Tuamatauenga's plan, Tanemahuta tried one last time to push their parents apart. This time, instead of pushing up with his shoulders, he leant back on his neck, and pushed with his feet. Very slowly Rangi was moved away from his wife. As he got farther and farther away, he began to weep, his tears forming rain and mist which fell towards Papatuanuku, a symbol of his undying love.

Back to Top

Clash of the Immortals
Based on Sir Peter Buck

Now the children of Earth and Sky were free, they immediately began arguing. Tawhiriamatea loved his father dearly, and decided to join him up in the heavens. From high above the earth, he unleashed howling gales and merciless winds. The other gods fled and hid- some in the form of fish, others in the form of plants, and others as reptiles and animals. Papatuanuku, fearful for her children, hid some beneath the ground, which in turn became kumara. Meanwhile, Tuamatauenga watched the cowardice of his brothers and scorned them. "Brothers," he said. "Why do you run away? are you afraid? Very well. It shall be I who deals to this outrage." And so Tuamatauenga fought a hard battle with his brother Tawhiriamatea, and eventually overcame him and won. Tawhiriamatea was doomed to remain with Rangi in the sky ever more. Tuamatauenga, still recovering from his ordeal, was furious at the behaviour of his siblings. "As a reward for your cowardice, my brothers, your families forever more shall be nothing more than food to be eaten by hungry men and animals. Your lines will be tainted hereafter. It is this I ordain to be so."

Back to Top

Tane and the Whatukura
Based on A. W. Reed

Within this realm exists three sacred baskets. These baskets were designed to contain the stones of knowledge, the whatukura. The first basket, kete aronui, held beneficial knowledge; he second, kete tuaruri, knowledge of ritual and incantation; and the third, kete tuatea, knowledge of all things evil. These baskets resided in the eleventh overworld until Tane brought them to this realm for the benefit of mankind. He was given the whatukura from Rehua, the god of kindness, but on his way back, he was ambushed by Whiro, who was waiting for him in the ninth overworld. Whiro fought hard and strong, but Tane was holding the baskets of knowledge, which he used to defeat Whiro. His followers were banished to earth for their crime, but not Whiro. He was banished to the netherworld, which he used as a platform to plague mankind with evil and suffering. Tane returned to earth and delivered the whatukura, but had nowhere to keep them. So he built the first whare-kura for the stones to be kept and used. Today, knowledge of these stones are kept within whare wananga by tohunga ahurewa, who dedicate themselves to becoming a medium for the gods, and to teaching.

Back to Top

Legacy of Tane
Based on A. W. Reed

After the Great War of the gods, Tanemahuta decided to appease his parents somewhat by clothing them. For his mother, Papatuanuku, he gave vast and beautiful forests. For his father, Rangi, he gave a magnificent blue robe. He then decided, as the robe was rather plain, to adorn his father with something beautiful. He travelled to Mount Maunganui, where he collected the Shining Ones in a basket. Five he placed upon his fathers breast, which form what we today call the Southern Cross. The rest he scatted, and when he was done, he threw his basket into the air, which then became the Milky Way.
When he had finished adorning his parents, he wished for children of his own. He was at a loss as to how to go about doing this, as the procreation between Rangi and Papatuanuku had spawned no female element that he knew of being. He questioned His mother on this, whereby she told him "Tanemahuta, my son. Go and visit Mumuhango. She will help you procreate." Tane did as he was instructed, and indeed he did procreate- his children were trees, birds, and insects. But this was not what Tane intended, and he was still lacking a female element. So again he went to his mother, and this time she told him "You must go to Kurawaka. There you can create the female you so desire." Tane began on his journey, and joined him did his brothers. When they reached Kurawaka, they all helped in moulding a female element. When she was complete, life was breathed into her, and thus Hine ahu one was born.
Tane was overjoyed, and at once was coupled with his daughter who became Hine titama. They produced many children and lived happily together for many years, until one day Hine asked her husband who her father was. When she was told the truth, she was overcome with shame. So much so that she had no choice but to end her life. Hine now lives in the underworld, and is known today as the Woman of the Night; Hine nui te po.

Back to Top

Journey of the Wairua
Based on A. W. Reed and Hon. Sir. Maui Pomare

After one is killed, or dies naturally of old age or otherwise, the persons wairua, or soul, departs on a journey to seek Hawaiiki; the great homeland of the Maori. The journey is perilous and fraught with danger- there lies demons and evil spirits, and many tapu streams and rivers. Nevertheless, they travel northward, to Cape Reinga, which is the final stop before finally passing into the otherworld. Before they leave, they turn around and take a final look at what was once their home, and at the long journey they have taken. They weep and wail, and if one listens carefully while at the Cape one might be lucky enough to hear this cry. They can even be seen as they leave for Hawaiiki; distantly off the shore and surrounded in mist. Sometimes they leave small items in their wake- tied flax leaves are a sure sign wairua have passed by. Also, a death basket may be found that wairua have made of green leaves along their way. Wairua, being the souls of the dead, are therefore sacred, which is why kumara storage huts all have their entrance facing northward. This is to prevent wairua entering, and thereby making all food within tapu.

Back to Top

Contents

- Maori Myths & Legends

- For the Glory of Rome
- The Sanity of Professor R.J. Basil Part One, Two, Three
- The Trials of Archibald Henderson of Windsor

- Convergere

- Other