Niuean mythology relates to some of the myths prevalent on the island of Niue, an Oceanic island country in free association with New Zealand. Although Niuean mythology reports a colonization before 500 AD,[1] the island was settled by Polynesians from Samoa around 900 AD.[2] The five principal gods of Niue are known as the tupua (principle gods of Niue), and include Fao, Huanaki, Fakahoko, Laga-iki, and Lagi-atea, who by various accounts, arrived from Fonuagalo (the lost country), Tulia, Toga-liulu, or perhaps other islands.[3] In Avatele myths, the gods are said to have come from within the earth instead of Fonuagalo.[4] There are also many other gods in Niuean mythology from fish gods to flying rats.

Background

According to Peniamina, a Pacific Island missionary stationed on the island, the islanders consider Huanaki and Fao as their ancestors. They believe that Huanaki and Fao were the first to locate the island which had slightly surfaced above the ground with the sea striking its shores. As they landed on the island, they brought down their feet in a forcible action upon the island surface twice; at the first stomping, the water (tides) receded, resulting in emergence of land, and with the second stomping, greenery in the form of grass, trees and other vegetation was created.[1] The Nui myths of the Pacific islands have been interpreted as a result of two coseismic-uplift events that had occurred at the island in the past 2,000 years, akin to a similar situation prevalent in several areas of the southwest and west Pacific Islands. The uplift produced by earthquakes could be the reason for relating them to the stomping myths of Niue and also from Tonga.[1]

Deities

The five tupua (principle gods of Niue) are Fao, Fakahoko, Huanaki, Laga-iki, and Lagi-atea. According to myth the first to set foot on the island was Fao, followed by Huanaki.[5] It is also said that Fao was one of the five principal gods of Niue (tupua), said to have arrived on Niue beneath a pool on the reef near the base of the cliffs, and to have then "ascended to build a residence at Toga-liulu".[3] Fakahoko is a war god and one of the five major gods of the island. Lagi-atea is one of the five principal gods of Niue, and is said to have caused death in the universe. Lagihalulu forebodes ill luck.[6] Lage-iki is another of the five major gods of the islanders; he has many children and is said to reside in the western region of the island; he is the cause of death in the world.[7]

Many other gods and goddesses are mentioned in Niuean mythology:

References

  1. ^ a b c Nunn, Patrick. "Fished up and thrown down; The Geography of Pacific Island Origins Myths" (PDF). The University of the South Pacific. pp. 351, 359. Retrieved 1 May 2015.
  2. ^ Encyclopædia Britannica, "Niue"
  3. ^ a b Smith & Pulekulu 1993, p. 97.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g Loeb 1926, p. 163.
  5. ^ Craig 1989, p. 78.
  6. ^ a b Craig1989, p. 131.
  7. ^ Craig1989, p. 130.
  8. ^ a b c d e f Smith & Pulekulu 1993, p. 103.
  9. ^ Craig1989, p. 36.
  10. ^ Craig1989, p. 48.
  11. ^ Craig1989, p. 353.
  12. ^ Craig1989, p. 135.
  13. ^ Craig1989, p. 139.
  14. ^ Craig1989, p. 144-45.
  15. ^ Craig1989, p. 145.
  16. ^ Craig1989, p. 151.
  17. ^ Craig1989, p. 250.
  18. ^ Craig1989, p. 389.
  19. ^ Craig1989, p. 399.

Bibliography

Category