The Origin Myth: Rangi and Papa
The Maorí believe that the universe is represented by the supreme god Taaroa and his union with Fei-Materai, who represents the night, from which Ranginui (the sky) and Papatuanuku (the earth) were born Maori Legend. In the beginning, the sky and the earth were joined in such a strong embrace that it kept their seventy children, the gods associated with the cosmos and nature, from seeing the light.
Two of them, Tane, the god of the forests, and Tangaroa, the god of the sea, determined to find the light, separated from the embrace of their parents. This caused such rage in their brother, Tawhiri, the god of the winds, that he caused storms and hurricanes to punish Tangaroa and Tane. Once separated, the gods Ranginui and Papatuanuku assumed their actual positions of sky and earth.
The moon is associated with the goddess Hina (Mahina in Rapanui) and the rest of space is associated with the goddess Ateo. Together they constitute the Aku. The rain is the tears of Papatuanuku and fog is associated with the warmth of the body of Ranginui who wants the embrace of his companion.
Their youngest son, Ruaumoko, wasn’t yet born when all this happened. His brothers gave him the gift of fire so that he could warm himself within the darkness in his mother’s womb. Ruaumoko, so closely tied with his mother, felt her pain at the separation. This filled him with anger, causing him to shatter the earth, expelling currents of blazing lava.
The Gift of Knowledge: The Three Baskets
In the beginning, the god Tane offered to the humans three baskets containing all knowledge, the Nga Kete o Te Wananga. Within these baskets were the stories of creation, the instructions of magic and much other knowledge.
Mana and Tapu: Maori Spiritual Power
The Maori believe that all comes from the gods. Man, earth, nature and objects made by man can contain Mana, a spiritual power. For this reason the Maori maintain a strong spiritual bond with the earth and with some special places which have a deep cultural and spiritual meaning for them.
Ceremonial objects with Mana must be protected with extremely strict rules of Tapu (taboo). Contact by ordinary people with persons or objects with Mana could cause a loss of the power.
The Meaning of the Moko in Maori Mythology
The Moko, or lizards, have a special significance for the Maori. These reptiles are considered to be emissaries of the god Whiro, who represents all the evil in the world and who brings misfortune to unlucky tribes. If a god gets angry and wishes to kill a man, he will call upon the lizards to enter into the man’s body and consume his vital organs.
In other cases, the power of the lizard can be transformed into protection. Legends tell that a school, a Whare Wananga, would sometimes bury a lizard near the main supporting pillar for protection.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Maori Creation Legend
Who are Rangi and Papa in Maori mythology?
Rangi (Ranginui, the sky) and Papa (Papatuanuku, the earth) are the primordial couple whose strong embrace kept their seventy children the gods of the cosmos and nature from seeing the light, until Tane and Tangaroa separated them.
What are the three baskets of knowledge?
They are the Nga Kete o Te Wananga, offered by the god Tane to humans. They contain the stories of creation, instructions on magic, and other ancestral knowledge.
What do Mana and Tapu mean to the Maori?
Mana is the spiritual power that any being, land, or object can hold. Tapu is the strict set of rules that protects objects with Mana; contact by ordinary people with them can cause the loss of that power.
Why is the Moko important in this legend?
Because the Maori consider the Moko (lizards) to be emissaries of the god Whiro, capable of causing death by divine order, but also of serving as protectors buried beneath important structures like the Whare Wananga.
