Ta’aroa : The Creator God

Ta’aroa

Introduction

In many of the myths that exist in Polynesia, Ta’aroa is the creator god of the Tahitian people and a core component of Tahitian mythology. In some parts of the Polynesia, he is also known by different names and is present in various forms in the mythologies of these cultures. The people of Tahiti believe that Ta’aroa is the creator of all things. Before the creation of the world, he lived in a shell called Rumia, but he fell into a void and never came back. He then created a new shell and formed the Earth from it and the sky from it.

Ta’aroa is believed to have created various animals, plants, and people all around the world. According to some stories, he made the Earth from his own body, and he also created mountains and living things from his blood. Ta’aroa is regarded as the creator and supreme being of Tahiti. He was known for being the author of death and life, and he was also associated with the sea. Out of his own body, he built the first fare-atua, or God’s House. This structure became the model for all temples in the country.

Physical Traits

Actual physical traits of Ta’aroa is not known as most of the myths surrounding the Tahitian pantheon have been passed down orally and there are no detailed written records from the ancient times. He has however, been depicted as having humanoid features which were said to be the basis for the creation of the humans on earth.

Family

Ta’aroa had no family and did not have a father, mother or siblings. He created everything that we see around us and was instrumental in giving life to humans. Some versions of the mythology in some islands, Ta’aroa is said to have created Vari, who then gave birth to numerous children who became the first humans.

Other Names

Although Ta’aroa was not known by any other names in Tahitian mythology, the character tends to be very similar to creator gods in other Polynesian mythologies from the cultures of Samoan, Maori and Hawaiian islands.

Powers and Abilities

Ta’aroa made the earth from his own body, forming soil from his flesh, mountains from his bones, and living things from his blood. Everything in the world came from Ta’aroa. He is credited with the creation of the universe and has supreme powers which he does not use to interfere in the daily lives of the Tahitians.  The Tahitians believed that Ta’aroa sent both blessings and curses, and they tried to appease him with human sacrifices.

Modern Day Influence

Ancient and traditional belief systems in the Tahitian island has been on a steady decline since the European settlers started appearing on the island. Missionaries from Britain managed to convert the entire island into Protestantism. Of late, there has been a slight revival of sorts in the traditional cultures and rituals of the region after being inspired by similar process in other Polynesian islands and the success of the Disney movie Moana.