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Niuē-fekai (or Savage) Island and its People

Of Other Tupuas

Of Other Tupuas

15. And the tupuas increased until they were numerous; some ascended to the kingdom (motu) above, the kingdom of day and night, and exchanged with the family of Huanaki. They were:—

1.

Maka-hopokia

2.

Kainono

3.

Taomaga

4.

Lagi-loa

5.

Fue-fou

6.

Fiti-hulugia

7.

Mono-taga-tu

8.

Lagi-halulu

9.

Tu-tau

10.

Tulaga-momole

11.

Anoano-tau

12.

Hala-pouli

13.

Tu-mote-kula

14.

Lagi-afa

15.

Tapa-tu-tau

16.

Tapa-tu-lele

17.

Tapa-tu

18.

Tau-felele-aki

16. They were all endowed equally with glory and goodness (? beauty) and ruled over all divisions of matters that spring from the surface of the earth—the many different flowering plants, the creeping things with life, and the birds of the heavens.

17. In former times these (symbolical) names prevailed:—

  • Tama-la-fafa, the ancient name for the Lupe (pigeon)

  • Tiha-tala, the ancient name for the Tuaki (tiopic bird)

  • Ha-le-vao, the ancient name for the Peka (the flying fox)

  • Hali-ua, the ancient name for the Uga (crab)

  • Ate-lapa, the ancient name for the Kāle (the Porphyrio bird)

  • Ti-lalo-fonua, the ancient name for the Kumā (the rat)

18. The pigeon was called Tama-la-fafa. He and Ha-le-vao came from a grave (?) to fly along the way of Nuku-tapa and Oloolo, which is a burnt forest; and they descended to the cliffs and the top of the cliffs on the coast.

19. The Ti-lalo-fonua (the rat) was a bird of the heavens; but Ha-le-vao, which is called a Peka (flying fox) was a creeping thing on the earth; they were of the same family. The Peka looked at the Kumā (rat) and saw how quickly he sped along, and (thought) it was beautiful. Then he begged of Kumā to give him his wings to allow him to make a trial of them. But Kumā was very grudging. Still Peka urgently prayed for the wings with many blandishments—until his request was granted through love to Peka.

20. Then said Kumā, “Come then ! that I may give you my wings that you may have a short trial of them, to see if you know how

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