Paikea

Paikea, Kewa, and Ihupuku are names of whales, used mythologically to denote the beings by whom Hema was slain; they are generally called Ponaturi. Paikea was one of the sea monsters, the children of Te Ha-puku, slain by Tāwhaki with hail brought from heaven. Other companions of Paikea were Paraoa (sperm whale), Kekeno (seal), Upokohue (porpoise), Ao.

A paikea, or water-monster, was used by Kahu as a conveyance from Waikato to Manukau, along the seacoast.

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References

Sources

  • Shortland, Edward. (1882). Maori Religion and Mythology. London: Longmans Green, p. 78.
  • Tregear, Edward. (1891). Maori-Polynesian Comparative Dictionary. Wellington: Government Printer, p. 303.
  • White, John. (1887). Ancient History of the Maori. 6 vols. Wellington: G. Didsbury, Government Printer, p. 1:22, 3:31, 40, 52, 59.