Polynesian MythologyMaui Legends

How Maui Found His Parents

The demigod Maui journeys from the sea to the underworld to reclaim his family and identity.

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Illustration for How Maui Found His Parents - a maui legends Polynesian Mythology story with moral lessons

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Story Summary

Discover How Maui Found His Parents in this Polynesian myth. After being raised by the sea, the demigod Maui journeys to find his family and divine heritage.

Maui was born prematurely and cast into the sea by his mother, Taranga, who believed him stillborn. Wrapped in a lock of her hair, he was rescued by sea spirits and raised by his ancestor, Tama-nui-te-ra. Upon reaching manhood, Maui returned to the land of the living, finding his four brothers in their great assembly house. When Taranga arrived to count her sons, she was puzzled by the fifth child. Maui boldly revealed his identity, recounting how he was swaddled in her hair and tossed to the waves. Overjoyed, Taranga recognized her 'last-born of the heavens.' Curious about where his mother disappeared each dawn, Maui followed her to the hidden underworld. Transforming into a colorful wood pigeon, he perched in a tree above his parents. After pelting them with berries to get their attention, he revealed his true form to his father, Makeatutara. His father then performed the sacred baptismal rites, finally cementing Maui’s place in both the mortal and spirit worlds.

The Moral

Persistence in seeking one's origins can reveal a powerful destiny and bridge the gap between different worlds.

“I am Maui, the forgotten child, wrapped in your hair and saved by the sea.”

Fun Fact

In Māori tradition, Maui’s full name, Maui-tikitiki-a-Taranga, serves as a genealogical record of his miraculous survival in his mother's hair.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the moral of How Maui Found His Parents?

The story teaches that understanding one's roots is essential to fulfilling one's true potential. It also emphasizes that being different or an outcast does not prevent someone from achieving greatness or reclaiming their place in a family.

Why did Maui’s mother throw him into the sea?

Taranga believed Maui was stillborn because he was born prematurely. She wrapped him in a lock of her hair and cast him into the waves as a ritualistic farewell, unaware that the sea spirits would save and raise him.

How did Maui prove his identity to Taranga?

Maui recounted the exact circumstances of his birth and the specific way he was wrapped in his mother's hair before being cast away. Since only Taranga knew these details, she immediately recognized him as her lost son.

What bird did Maui turn into during the story?

Maui transformed himself into a kererū, or New Zealand wood pigeon. He chose this form because of its beautiful white and green plumage, allowing him to fly into the underworld and watch his parents from the trees.

Who is Maui's father in this legend?

His father is Makeatutara, a powerful figure in the underworld. When Maui finally revealed himself, Makeatutara performed a special ceremony to acknowledge him, though a mistake in the ritual would later lead to Maui's mortality.

What does Maui's name Maui-tikitiki-a-Taranga mean?

The name translates to 'Maui-formed-in-the-topknot-of-Taranga.' This refers specifically to the legend of his birth and how his mother wrapped him in her hair (tikitiki) before placing him in the ocean.