Papahanaumoku
Encyclopedia
Papahanaumoku or Pāpā, is the name of the Kanaka Maoli creator goddess
in Hawaiian mythology
. Together with her husband Wakea
(sky father) Pāpā is the ancestor of all people and Kalo, and mother of islands as the Kanaka Maoli manifestation of Mother Earth
. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument was renamed in 2007 to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, a variant form of her name.
There are many legends surrounding Papa. She is worshipped by Native Hawaiians
, especially by women, as a primordial force of creation who has the power to give life and to heal. A women's temple, called Hale o Papa, is the primary religious structure associated with her worship. Hale o Papa are often built in connection with Luakini
, or men's temples (places of "official" ceremony, which are primarily dedicated to the gods Kū
and Lono
), although it is believed by many practitioners that they may also exist independently. Widespread destruction of religious structures by the forces of Kahekili II
and by the Christian-converted kahuna
, Hewahewa have made archaeological proof of many known sites difficult. Some also question the possibility of regular "covering up" and/or "minimizing" of archaeological and historical data, due to the impact of this data on development interests and other economically powerful factors.
According to legend, Papahanaumoku was born in Halawa Valley, Oʻahu and spent her early childhood there. She travelled throughout the islands, and eventually "wed" Wakea. Together they had a daughter, Hoohokukalani (literally, "one who creates the stars of heaven"). As the girl grew, Wakea fell in love with his daughter and began to have an intimate relationship with her. He tricked Papa (in some versions of the story, the institution of the kapu
system was part of his scheme) in order to keep her away, so that he could seduce Hoohokukalani. When Papa discovered the truth, she was furious. However, when Hoohokukalani gave birth to a stillborn baby, it was Papa who named the child Haloa and buried him in the soft earth; from that place sprung the first kalo
. Hoohokukalani again mated with her father Wakea, and had a living child, who was also named Haloa. This child became the ancestor to all Kanaka Maoli, or all humans (depending upon interpretation).
In the Aloha Aina movement, Papa is often a central figure, as her spirit is that of the life-giving, loving, forgiving earth who nurtures human life, and who is being abused by the misdeeds of mankind, especially in regard to the abuse of nature.
In 2008, Papahanaumoku and Wakea's names inspired the newly inaugurated Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.
Goddess
A goddess is a female deity. In some cultures goddesses are associated with Earth, motherhood, love, and the household. In other cultures, goddesses also rule over war, death, and destruction as well as healing....
in Hawaiian mythology
Hawaiian mythology
Hawaiian mythology refers to the legends, historical tales and sayings of the ancient Hawaiian people. It is considered a variant of a more general Polynesian mythology, developing its own unique character for several centuries before about 1800. It is associated with the Hawaiian religion...
. Together with her husband Wakea
Wakea
In Hawaiian mythology, Wākea is the eldest son of Kahiko , and lives in Olalowaia. Wākea is the ancestor of the aristocracy, the ali‘i. The priests and common people come from his brothers. In another legend, Wākea lives in Hihiku and marries Pāpā, also called Pāpā-nui or Pāpā-nui-hanau-moku, who...
(sky father) Pāpā is the ancestor of all people and Kalo, and mother of islands as the Kanaka Maoli manifestation of Mother Earth
Mother Nature
Mother Nature is a common personification of nature that focuses on the life-giving and nurturing aspects of nature by embodying it in the form of the mother. Images of women representing mother earth, and mother nature, are timeless...
. The Northwestern Hawaiian Islands Marine National Monument was renamed in 2007 to the Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, a variant form of her name.
There are many legends surrounding Papa. She is worshipped by Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians
Native Hawaiians refers to the indigenous Polynesian people of the Hawaiian Islands or their descendants. Native Hawaiians trace their ancestry back to the original Polynesian settlers of Hawaii.According to the U.S...
, especially by women, as a primordial force of creation who has the power to give life and to heal. A women's temple, called Hale o Papa, is the primary religious structure associated with her worship. Hale o Papa are often built in connection with Luakini
Luakini
In ancient Hawai'i, a luakini temple, or luakini heiau, was a Native Hawaiian sacred place where human and animal blood sacrifices were offered....
, or men's temples (places of "official" ceremony, which are primarily dedicated to the gods Kū
Kū
In Hawaiian mythology Kū or Kū-ka-ili-moku is one of the four great gods along with Kanaloa, Kāne, and Lono.He is known as the god of war and the husband of the goddess Hina. Some have taken this to suggest a complementary dualism, as the word kū in the Hawaiian language means "standing up" while...
and Lono
Lono
In Hawaiian mythology, the deity Lono is associated with fertility, agriculture, rainfall, and music. In one of the many Hawaiian legends of Lono, he is a fertility and music god who descended to Earth on a rainbow to marry Laka. In agricultural and planting traditions, Lono was identified with...
), although it is believed by many practitioners that they may also exist independently. Widespread destruction of religious structures by the forces of Kahekili II
Kahekili II
Kahekili II, full name Kahekilinuiahumanu, was the twenty fifth King of Maui. His name was short for Kāne-Hekili after the Hawaiian god of thunder. Because Kāne-Hekili was believed to be black on one side, Kahekili tattooed one side of his body from head to foot.-Family:He was born about...
and by the Christian-converted kahuna
Kahuna
Kahuna is a Hawaiian word, defined in the as a "Priest, sorcerer, magician, wizard, minister, expert in any profession." Forty different types of kahuna are listed in the book, Tales from the Night Rainbow...
, Hewahewa have made archaeological proof of many known sites difficult. Some also question the possibility of regular "covering up" and/or "minimizing" of archaeological and historical data, due to the impact of this data on development interests and other economically powerful factors.
According to legend, Papahanaumoku was born in Halawa Valley, Oʻahu and spent her early childhood there. She travelled throughout the islands, and eventually "wed" Wakea. Together they had a daughter, Hoohokukalani (literally, "one who creates the stars of heaven"). As the girl grew, Wakea fell in love with his daughter and began to have an intimate relationship with her. He tricked Papa (in some versions of the story, the institution of the kapu
Kapu
Kapu refers to the ancient Hawaiian code of conduct of laws and regulations. The kapu system was universal in lifestyle, gender roles, politics, religion, etc. An offense that was kapu was often a corporal offense, but also often denoted a threat to spiritual power, or theft of mana. Kapus were...
system was part of his scheme) in order to keep her away, so that he could seduce Hoohokukalani. When Papa discovered the truth, she was furious. However, when Hoohokukalani gave birth to a stillborn baby, it was Papa who named the child Haloa and buried him in the soft earth; from that place sprung the first kalo
Taro
Taro is a common name for the corms and tubers of several plants in the family Araceae . Of these, Colocasia esculenta is the most widely cultivated, and is the subject of this article. More specifically, this article describes the 'dasheen' form of taro; another variety is called eddoe.Taro is...
. Hoohokukalani again mated with her father Wakea, and had a living child, who was also named Haloa. This child became the ancestor to all Kanaka Maoli, or all humans (depending upon interpretation).
In the Aloha Aina movement, Papa is often a central figure, as her spirit is that of the life-giving, loving, forgiving earth who nurtures human life, and who is being abused by the misdeeds of mankind, especially in regard to the abuse of nature.
In 2008, Papahanaumoku and Wakea's names inspired the newly inaugurated Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument.