Ika-Roa

Introduction

In the Mori mythology, Ikaroa is a long fish that lived in the Milky Way. It is the mother goddess or the creator of all the stars, as well as the Sky God’s ornament. One of the stars that is not included in the list of stars is the Milky Way. This version of the story states that the Milky Way is the offspring of Earth and Sky, and it is the ward of Ikaroa and Ikanui. Ikaroa and Ikanui’s family is made up of the stars of the sky, such as Puanga, Atutahi, and Mata-riki. They also bring supplies to the land, while Rehua ripen all fruits.

Physical Traits

Ika roa was described as a long fish or a shark which is very similar in looks to the modern nurse or thresher shark.

Family

Ika-roa was the mother of all the stars including Nga Whetu, and she was the wife of Kohu, who was the son of Toko-pa one of the Props of Heaven.

Other names

Ika-Roa can also be used as an alternative name for Milky Way. The long shark was referred to as “Mangoroa” or “Mangoroa i ata” which meant long shark in the early dawn. He is also known as Ika, or Te Ika-roa, or Ika-o-te-Rangi, the Galaxy or Milky Way.

Powers and Abilities

Ika-roa is one of those who regulate the seasons and is said to be the symbolism of the Milky Way. Tama-rerereti and Te Ikaroa were given the task of leading the whanau riki, which literally means little suns. However, some members of the family would sometimes wander away from their elders and get hit by them. These individuals are referred to as the “mata-kokiri,” meaning “the darting ones” or meteors.

Modern Day Influence

Mapping the movement of the stars and traditional Maori astronomy is greatly influenced by the position of the Ika-Roa. Although this is no longer valid in modern times. The tales of the Milky Way is greatly intertwined into the myths of the region primarily because the Maori were a sea faring culture who relied on stars for navigation.