Merau

"Extinction." The name of a goddess mentioned in a tangi (lament), murmured by Tama-nui-a-raki after he had murdered his wife Ruku-tia.

"Lament for her my spouse.
Stir up my inmost soul to deeds of daring.
That my calamity may be forgotten.
Has Merau, goddess of extinction, died,
That I for ever still must weep,
While day on day succeeds,
And each the other follows?"

References

Source

  • Andersen, Johannes C. (1928). Myths and Legends of the Polynesians. London: George G. Harrap, p. 68.