Mythology
Creation
Ages past, the cold–weather Kaiteri believed that the universe was once one big ocean, the Waters of Creation, or Wairangi. Icebergs formed in the water, revealing the rest of creation. The warm–weather Kaiteri believed it was mist disappearing that revealed creation.
The universe was created in the Six Waves of Creation.
Wave 1 – major deities created
- Tiaka - mother goddess of the sea
- Tanaroa – her consort
Wave 2 – good deities
- Ika – goddess of plenty, a fish
- Nutu – "beak," speaker of the gods
- Paha – "wing" messenger god
- Pokai – "flock," god of wisdom
- Tawhiri – storm god who started good
Wave 3 – bad deities created
- Ahere - "bird snare," death
- Tongi - "peck," war god
Wave 4 – planets and plants created
Wave 5 – animals created
Wave 6 – Kaiteri created. The Kaiteri woke when they heard the Karamanu ("bird calling flute") and they have been squawking every since. They received their voice from Nutu, speaker of the gods. Kaiteri received wisdom from Pokai, god of wisdom, and a bracelet for their feet or wing, the poria (stone or ring put on captive birds). (12-26-11).
In the Kotore "bird tail", which is the End, all will return to water.
The Force
Before the Kaiteri met other beings, they believed that there was a spiritual force in the water, Waikaika. When they met beings from the Republic who believed in the Force, the ideas were merged. The Kaiteri also have a sense of power within Kaiteri, which is Pokaimanu, "power of the flock."
The First Kaiteri
The first Kaiteri were Tuatahi and Tiaka (named for the mother goddess), who were born on Motutere Oganahere (forest of Gan) in the warm ocean of Ukaipo (mother ocean). Their son was Kuao. Later famous descendants were the tall Salasi who was good with the spear and had a Tao bird, and Maneriki, who is older than Tuatahi in some tales. Maneriki was clumsy and swam on the surface with his feet. (Earlier idea).
In another story, the first Kaiteri were Uha and Tame (terms for male and female animals). Tawhiri started as a boisterous god but became a loner and became angry. Tongi also became a loner. Tiaka and Tanaroa warned Uha and Tame not to separate. Tawhiri tempted Uha to go alone, too, by telling her that there was beautiful fish to eat in the bay just beyond where they lived. Uha went alone to find the fish as a surprise for Tame, but she drowned and Tawhiri did not help her. Tame called on Tongi to avenge Uha, and in the fight, Tawhiri became the god of storms, Tongi became the god of death. Tame was alone until Tiaka gave him a second wife, Uwha. One day, Kaiteri will find that bay of special fish, and a figure named the Three will lead them. (12-26-11).
Mythical Beings
Whakamanu are mythical beings that shapeshift into Kaiteri. Their leader was the giant, Nempress (12-26-11).
Sea monsters include Maero and Marakihau.
Land monsters include Mokotauri and Mokoweri (dinosaurs).
Tanatua was a giant tree that snared Kaiteri.
The first colonies were Kakanui and Waipara. (12-6-11)*
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Society*Date of discovery.