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The story describes how in the beginning there was a giant shell, with the sky - Rangi - at the top and Papa - the earth, at the bottom. These were the parents of gods, humans and all life in the world.
They loved each other very much, held each other in a close embrace and very soon they had given birth to six sons: Tawhirimagtea, the god of the winds; Tane, god of the forests; Tu, god of war; Tangaroa, god of the sea; Rongo, god of peace and Ru, god of food.
The six children were trapped between their parents but could not agree on the best way to separate the sky and earth. Eventually Tane managed to prise Rangi and Papa apart by lying on his back and forcing the shell open with his feet pressing upwards, and the sky and the earth have remained apart ever since.
When the space between the earth and sky was wide enough the sons made humans out of red clay. But Tawhirimagtea, the god of winds and storms, was furious at this and from time to time, he sends storms, whirlwinds, thunder and lightening to the world, as a reminder of his anger.
Papa and Rangi were proud of what their sons had created but they still missed each other's touch. And so every morning the world is damp with the dew of Rangi's tears, and the morning mists are Papa's sighs of sadness.
Supporting materials
Download the text of the creation myth.
PDF: Polynesian creation myth (160 KB)