Tama-te-uira

The Lightning Man, the principal (male) personification of lighting, representing forked lightning. Tama-te-uira is one of the deities who control the elements. See also Hine-te-uira.

He, Tu-matakaka and other were appointed guardians and regulators of the Lightning Children, a body of wayward young folk whose names denote various phases of lightning. Such control is necessary, or otherwise serious injury might be inflicted by them. See also poutiriao.

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