Maru

A deity, best known in the South Island as a war god, where he seems to usurp the position of Tū. He was also worshiped at Whanganui, in the North Island, and was everywhere known, although his place is not very clearly defined. He is sometimes called Maru-i-te-Aewa, Maru-i-te-Koeta, etc.1 He was a son of Rangi-hore, the god of rocks and stones, who was a son of Māui and Rohe.2 His home was in the third heaven, Ngā-roto; but he has also charge of the three lower heavens, viz. Kiko-rangi, Waka-maru, and Ngā-roto.3

Maru was one of the gods borne to New Zealand by Haunga-roa, when she came to bring to Ngātoro-i-rangi the tale of Manaia's curse.4 The planet Mars was sacred to him.5

Tāwhaki, in a splendid invocation, called up the help of Maru for aid in war, in order to punish Ururangi. Maru was nearly slain by the god Rongo-mai.6

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References

Notes

  1. Taylor, Richard. (1870). Te Ika a Maui. 2nd ed. London: Macintosh, p. 138.
  3. White, John. (1887). Ancient History of the Maori. 6 vols. Wellington: G. Didsbury, Government Printer, 1:106, 1:Appendix.
  5. ibid.
  7. Grey, Sir George. (1855). Polynesian Mythology. Auckland: Brett, p. 102.
  9. Taylor, p. 138.
  11. White, p. 1:106.

Source

  • Tregear, Edward. (1891). Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary. Wellington: Government Printer, p. 219.

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