Talk:Laka

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The old article read as follows, but I can't find anything like this in Craig's Dictionary of Polynesian Mythology and so I've replaced it with the entry from there. Bucketsofg 00:35, 29 March 2006 (UTC). Here is what used to be there:

In Polynesian mythology (specifically Hawaii), Laka is a fertility goddess of music, dance, rain, and the patron goddess of hula-dancers. She is also the goddess of the wild wood and of wild growth. she is respected by the planters and has particular rites. Laka is daughter of Kapo and wife of Lono, although many versions have Kapo as another name for Laka. Laka is also Pele's sister.

[edit] Research needed

It may be that there were one or more Laka in Hawaiian mythology - including a female Laka in the Pele cycle of myths. More research may be needed here Kahuroa 11:10, 3 July 2006 (UTC)

A quick look at Beckwith confirms that there are in fact 4 different Laka in Hawaiian mythology, only one of which equates to the Rata of other Polynesian cultures... so I will be rewriting this article in the next while...Kahuroa 10:24, 11 July 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Rātā/Rata- Māori, Tahitian, and Tuamotu

I have made separate articles for these areas as they had sufficient material to warrant it and because the cognate names of the hero in these languages are a bit distant from 'Laka' - and there is a wealth of material about Rātā in Maori tradition that could be added. See Rātā (Māori mythology), Rata (Tahitian mythology), and Rata (Tuamotu mythology). Kahuroa 11:57, 3 July 2006 (UTC)