In Hawaiian mythology, an ?aumakua (; often spelled aumakua) is a family god, often a deified ancestor. The Hawaiian plural of ?aumakua is n? ?aum?kua ([na:'??uma:'kuw?]). ?Aum?kua frequently manifested as animals such as sharks or owls. ?Aum?kua were worshipped at localities (often rocks) where they were believed to "dwell". The appearance of an animal one regarded as an ?aumakua was often believed to be an omen (of good or ill). There are also many stories of n? ?aum?kua (in animal form) intervening to save their descendants from harm. It was extremely bad luck to harm a manifested ?aumakua.
Some families had many ?aum?kua. Mary Kawena Pukui's family had at least fifty known ?aum?kua.
?Aum?kua were thus animals, places or rocks, and people. Ancient Hawaiians would have seen no contradiction in a powerful spirit being able to appear as all three, switching from form to form as convenient--as is indeed seen in many stories of gods and demigods.
A symbiotic relationship exists between person and ?aumakua, the personal guardians of each individual and their family and the ancient source gods from whom Hawaiians were descended.
?Aumakua can manifest in nature. The form varies family to family. Whatever its form, the ?aumakua is only one specific shark, owl, etc. However, all members of the species are treated with respect by family members. If family ?aumakua, these manifestations were not harmed or eaten; in turn, ?aumakua warned and reprimanded in dreams, visions, and calls.
"?Aum?kua are intimate members of the human family, spiritual relationships with them are especially close and their presence is sought for feast and festivity, as well as in time of crisis. They act as healers and advisors, counteracting troubles and punishing faults." - J. Gutmanis
?Aum?kua could appear as:
- honu sea turtle
- mo?o gecko, lizard, or dragon
- pueo, owl (on Manoa, O?ahu, Kau and Puna)
- man?, shark (all islands)
- ?alal?, crow (island of Hawai?i)
- ?io, hawk (on island of Hawai?i)
- ?elepaio, monarch flycatcher (also the goddess of canoe makers)
- ?i?iwi, honeycreeper (whose feathers were used extensively in featherwork)
- ?alae ?ula, Hawaiian gallinule (whose cry was considered a bad omen)
- he?e, octopus
- puhi, eel
- ?iole li?ili?i, mouse
- ?iole, rat
- ??lio, dog
- pe?elua/?enuhe/nuhe/?anuhe/poko, caterpillar
- p?haku, rock
- leho, cowry
- ao, cloud
- mea kanu, plant
Hawaii spirit helpers who would either be permitted to continue on to the realm of spirits or, because they still had earthly obligations, be sent back to their bodies.
Video Aumakua
In Media
- As the 2016 video games Pokémon Sun and Pokémon Moon by Nintendo take place in a fictional archipelago inspired by the real-world location of Hawaii, the story makes reference to various aspects of Hawaiian culture, including the aumakua:
- Tapu Koko is called the guardian deity of Melemele Island and has a mask-like shell that looks like a stylized rooster head. Each other island also has its own specific guardian deity (the butterfly-like Tapu Lele for Akala Island, the bull-like Tapu Bulu for Ula ula Island and the fish-like Tapu Fini for Poni Island).
- In the 2016 Disney movie Moana, Maui transforms into a hawk, a gecko and a shark, reference to the 'io, mo'o and man?. Additionally, the concept of the Aumakua is believed to be an inspiration for Tala's transformation into a manta ray; the Aumakua is referenced by name in pre-production artwork.
- In the 1993 novel The Fifth Sacred Thing by Starhawk, Aumakua is discussed as a synonym for the 'oversoul' or 'morphogenetic field' of a virus as a collective entity in the ch'i world. The virus is a major plot device.
- On the U.S. television series Hawaii Five-O, Kono Kalakaua mentions that her family's aumakua is the man? so she wants to protect them. This is in season 7 episode 15.
Maps Aumakua
References
External links
- "Hawaii's Spirit Guardians" Article by Rita Goldman in Maui No Ka 'Oi Magazine, Vol.14 No. 6 Nov 2010.
- "THE MEANING BEHIND HAWAIIAN SYMBOLS: The Guardian Spirits" Article by OluKai, THE MEANING BEHIND HAWAIIAN SYMBOLS, 3 Nov 2014.
Source of article : Wikipedia
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