Hāpai

The heavenly maiden who became the wife of the mortal hero Kaha'i (Tāwhaki). Hāpai is probably referred to in the Southern legend, wherein Whaitiri tells Tāwhaki to beware of the indecent daughters of Tangaroa, but that if he meets Pupumainono or Hāpai-nui-i-maunga, those two are modest and to be talked with. Hāpai bore a daughter (called Pianga or Arahuta) to Tāwhaki, and took the child back to the sky. Tāwhaki and his brother Karihi went looking for them and were eventually reunited in heaven.

She is called Hāpai-a-Māui, but more commonly Tangotango.

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References

Sources

  • Grey, Sir George. (1855). Polynesian Mythology. Auckland: Brett, p. 41.
  • Tregear, Edward. (1891). Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary. Wellington: Government Printer, p. 47.
  • White, John. (1887). Ancient History of the Maori. 6 vols. Wellington: G. Didsbury, Government Printer, p. i:129.
  • Wohlers, J. F. H. (1875). "Mythology and Tradition of the Maori." New Zealand Institute, Transactions 7:3-53, p. 44.

This article incorporates text from Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary (1891) by Edward Tregear, which is in the public domain.