Maori Mythology
According to Maori mythology, the ancestors are thought to have inhabited a mythical land called Hawaiki, which is thought to be located to the west. The Maori migrated in 7 boats that were later founded by the original tribes, and it is said that the souls of those who could not get there left from Cape Renga towards Hawaiki. However, human research suggests that migration came from eastern Polynesia to New Zealand between 800 and 1,300.
Humans, elements, and every part of nature are descended from the Sky Father and Earth Mother in Polynesian mythology. For this reason, the ancient Maoris connected themselves so strongly with the natural world in their culture. To kill a child of Tane Mahuta, the forest deity, they had to appease the spirits before cutting down a tree. To avoid alerting the prey to their presence, they would not talk of their intentions while on the prowl.
Te Ponui and Te Poroa were the only things that existed at the beginning (the Great Night, the Long Night). It was only then that the moon and sun emerged in the emptiness of space, bringing light to all of creation. As a result, Rangi (the Sky Father) resided with Papa (the Earth Mother), but their progeny dwelt in darkness since the two clung to one another. The Earth sat on top of the Sky, and no light had yet penetrated the space between the two. Because they couldn’t see, their offspring battled about how to make night and day visible.
The ancient Polynesian ethnic group that came to the islands of New Zealand in ancient times brought with it the Maori Mythology, which has various stories and legends that were saved in the memory of the inhabitants. An interesting fact is that according to experts, no evidence of human settlement has been obtained before the Maori travellers. However, there is a debate that they came from eastern Polynesia.
