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Traditional Oceanian Mythology
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Tekoteko
Maori carved wooden figures placed atop buildings, representing tribal ancestors. They serve as guardians and hold cultural importance.
Fafafine
In Samoan mythology, Fafafine are nature spirits with the duty to protect the forests and their creatures. They are often depicted as nurturing and crucial to ecological balance.
Rangi and Papa
In Maori mythology, the primordial parents of the sky (Ranginui) and the earth (Papatuanuku) whose separation led to the creation of the world.
Vaka-taumako
A Polynesian myth related to the navigation of the open ocean and the discovery of new lands. These stories highlight the Polynesians' great seafaring skills.
Pele
Hawaiian goddess of volcanoes and fire, creator of the Hawaiian Islands. She is revered in Hawaiian culture and plays an important role in Hawaiian mythology.
Hina
A common goddess name in Polynesian mythology, often associated with the moon or with a mastery of various crafts. Her myths vary greatly across cultures.
Lono
In Hawaiian mythology, Lono is the god of agriculture, rainfall, and fertility. His annual festival is the Makahiki, a time of peace and plenty.
Nan Madol
A legendary city often referred to in Micronesian myth. Its megalithic architecture contributes to numerous tales about the sorcerers that constructed it.
Tafiti
The concept in Samoan mythology referring to the horizon where the sky and sea meet. It symbolizes the unknown and the home of the gods.
Tiki
Carved wooden or stone figures representing human forms in Polynesian cultures, believed to hold spiritual significance and embody ancestral presence.
Maui
A legendary hero from Polynesian mythology known for his trickery and shape-shifting abilities. He is significant for fishing up islands with his magical hook and slowing down the sun.
Makemake
The creator god of humanity and fertility in the mythology of Rapa Nui (Easter Island). He is central to the island's indigenous religious practices.
Papahānaumoku
Hawaiian goddess of the earth and wife to Wākea, the sky father. Together they are considered the parents of the Hawaiian Islands.
Tāne
Maori god of forests and birds, known for creating the first human. His actions are crucial in the separation of the earth and the sky in Maori creation narratives.
Kāne
One of the chief Hawaiian gods, associated with creation, sunlight and the natural world. He was worshipped as the giver of life.
Kanaloa
Complementary power to Kāne in Hawaiian mythology, he is the god of the ocean, a symbol of deep sea mysteries and a guardian of the eternal darkness.
Matuku
In Fijian mythology, Matuku is considered a god of lagoons and fishes. He is responsible for the prosperity of marine life in the surrounding waters.
Rongo
The Maori god of cultivated food, especially the sweet potato and kumara. He's also associated with peace and cultivated land.
Kū
One of the four major Hawaiian gods. He is associated with war and is often sought for his martial prowess and strength.
Karanga
In Maori culture, the spiritual call made by women to welcome visitors onto the marae (tribal meeting grounds). It has deep spiritual significance and protocol.
Tangaroa
The god of the sea in many Polynesian cultures. He is a prominent figure believed to be the creator of all sea creatures and other gods.
Abelam People
A tribe from Papua New Guinea known for their vibrant culture filled with spiritual beliefs, rituals, and yam ceremonies. They have a rich mythological tradition.
Haikili
A Polynesian god of thunder, his anger is believed to be expressed through storms. He is a mighty figure that commands respect and fear.
Ruatapu
A figure in Maori legend who planned revenge on his brothers, leading to a great flood. He is often associated with the dangers of the sea.
Whiro
The Maori god of darkness and embodiment of all evil. His influence is most feared during the night and in tales of witchcraft.
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