Rata (Tahitian mythology)
Encyclopedia
Rata, in Tahiti
an mythology, is said to have become king of Tahiti when his uncle, king Tumu-nui
, and his father Vahieroa (Tahitian mythology)
are swallowed by a great clam while they are on their way to Pitcairn. When he reaches adulthood, Rata plans to avenge his father. As in the Tuamotuan version, Rata identifies a tree to build his canoe, but it is protected by forest elves. After he captures them they build it for him in a single night. While en route for Pitcairn, Rata and his crew are sucked down into the same clam, but they use their spears to cut the monster open. They rescue the remains of Rata's father and uncle and bury them back in Tahiti. After recovering from their adventure, Rata sets out for further adventures. See also Aremata-Popoa and Aremata-Rorua
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Tahiti
Tahiti is the largest island in the Windward group of French Polynesia, located in the archipelago of the Society Islands in the southern Pacific Ocean. It is the economic, cultural and political centre of French Polynesia. The island was formed from volcanic activity and is high and mountainous...
an mythology, is said to have become king of Tahiti when his uncle, king Tumu-nui
Tumu-nui
Tumu-nui is the name of several figures in Tahitan mythology.This is the name is a major god in the creation myth. There, he and his wife Paparaharaha were responsible for creating the pillars that hold up the sky ....
, and his father Vahieroa (Tahitian mythology)
Vahieroa (Tahitian mythology)
In Tahitian mythology, Vahieroa is a son of Tafa'i and his wife Hina, and is born at his father's house in the Tapahi hills of Mahina in north Tahiti. He weds Maemae-a-rohi, sister of the ruling chief Tumu-nui...
are swallowed by a great clam while they are on their way to Pitcairn. When he reaches adulthood, Rata plans to avenge his father. As in the Tuamotuan version, Rata identifies a tree to build his canoe, but it is protected by forest elves. After he captures them they build it for him in a single night. While en route for Pitcairn, Rata and his crew are sucked down into the same clam, but they use their spears to cut the monster open. They rescue the remains of Rata's father and uncle and bury them back in Tahiti. After recovering from their adventure, Rata sets out for further adventures. See also Aremata-Popoa and Aremata-Rorua
Aremata-Popoa and Aremata-Rorua
In the Tahitian story of Rata Aremata-Popoto and Aremata-Roroa are two ocean-dwelling monsters that Rata must overcome.-References:...
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See also
- Rata (Tuamotu mythology)Rata (Tuamotu mythology)In the Tuamotu islands, the telling of the full cycle of the legend of Rata takes several evenings to tell. The legend of begins with his grandfather Kui, a demigod who marries Puehuehu. Their son Vahi-vero was stolen by two wild ducks that carry him to a distant island where two witches Nua and...
- Rātā (Māori mythology)Rata (Maori mythology)In Māori mythology, accounts vary somewhat as to the ancestry of Rātā. Usually he is a grandson of Tāwhaki and son of Wahieroa. Wahieroa is treacherously killed by Matuku-tangotango, an ogre...
- LakaLakaIn Hawaiian mythology, Laka is the name of a popular hero from Polynesian mythology....
(Hawaiian and other Polynesian mythology)