Mumuhango

"Gentle noise of the air." When Tāne desired to have his mother Papa for his wife, she told him not to turn his inclination towards her, for evil would come to him. Instead, she advised him to seek out his divine ancestress Muhuhango. So he took her to wife, and she brought forth the totara tree. But he was dissatisfied and returned to his mother, who told him to go to Hine-tu-a-maunga, another ancestress.

Mumuhango personifies the totara tree.

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References

Sources

  • Best, Elsdon. (1924). The Maori. Wellington: Harry H. Tombs, pp. 114, 176.
  • Shortland, Edward. (1882). Maori Religion and Mythology. London: Longmans Green, pp. 20-21.
  • White, John. (1887). Ancient History of the Maori. 6 vols. Wellington: G. Didsbury, Government Printer, p. 1:142.