Samoan mythology

Samoan mythology tells stories of many different gods. There were gods of the forest, the seas, rain, harvest, villages and war.^[1] There were two types of gods, atua who had non-human origins and aitu who were of human origin. Tagaloa was a supreme god who made the islands and the people. Mafui'e was the god of earthquakes. ^[2] There were also a number of war gods. Nafanua, Samoa's warrior goddess hails from the village of Falealupo at the west end of Savai'i island, which is also the site of the entry into Pulotu, the spirit world. Nafanua's father Saveasi'uleo was the god of Pulotu.^[1] Another well known legend tells of two sisters Tilafaiga and Taema bringing the art of tattooing to Samoa from Fiti. Tilafaiga is the mother of Nafanua. The Mata o le Alelo 'Eyes of the Demon' freshwater pool from the Polynesian legend Sina and the Eel is situated in the village of Matavai on the north coast in the village district of Safune.^[3] Another figure of legend is Tui Fiti who resides at Fagamalo village in the village district of Matautu. The village of Falelima is associated with a dreaded spirit deity called Nifoloa.

Samoan mythology is a variant of a more general Polynesian mythology in the Samoa Islands.

Prominent entries on Samoan mythology

• Afa
• Atonga
• Atu
• Fa'atiu
• Fetu
• Fue
• Ila
• Losi
• Mafui'e
• Moso's Footprint
• Nafanua
• Pulotu
• Sava
• Savali
• Saveasi'uleo
• Sina and the Eel
• Taema
• Tagaloa
• Ti'iti'i
• Tinilau
• Tui Fiti
• Upolu

See also

• Culture of Samoa
• Polynesian mythology
• Samoan proverbs
• Religion in Samoa

References

1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 , Penina uliuli: contemporary challenges in mental health for Pacific peoples By Philip Culbertson, Margaret Nelson Agee, Cabrini 'Ofa Makasiale, p. 68
2. ↑ http://www.pacificislandtravel.com/samoa/about_destin/history.asp
3. ↑ http://www.livingheritage.org.nz/schools/secondary/marcellin/samoa/eel.php