DIRECTORY 343
RATA AND
MATUKU-TANGOTANGO
Maori of New Zealand,
c. 13th century CERata’s father Wahieroa was killed by
an ogre called Matuku-tangotango.
Seeking revenge, Rata traveled
with his companions to find the
ogre. While Matuku-tangotango
was washing in a stream, Rata
killed the ogre, cut out his heart,
and roasted it over a fire. He then
discovered that his father’s bones
had been taken by nocturnal
goblins called the Ponaturi. Rata
and his companions raided the
village of the Ponaturi, defeated
the goblins, and rescued the bones
of Rata’s father.
See also: Orestes avenges
Agamemnon 64–65 ■ The fate of
Oedipus 86–87 ■ Tane and Hine-
titama 314 –15PELE THE FIRE GODDESS
Hawaiian, date unknownPele was the Hawaiian goddess of
fire, lightning, dance, wind, and
volcanoes. She was also known as
Ka wahine ‘ai honua (“the woman
who devours the land”). Pele was
born on Tahiti as a daughter to the
earth goddess Haumea and the
sky father Kane Milohai. Pele was
exiled to Hawaii because of her
fiery temper and for seducing the
husband of her sister. She died
when her sister found her and killed
her in battle. In death, Pele became
a god and took up residence inside
Kilauea, a volcano on the island of
Hawaii, where she still lives.
See also: Susanoo and
Amaterasu 222–25 ■ Legend of the
five suns 248–55 ■ Ta’aroa gives
birth to the gods 316–17THE BUNYIP
Australian Aboriginal, date
unknownOne of the most fearsome beasts
in Aboriginal legend was the
amphibious bunyip (“devil” or
“evil spirit”) that lived in lagoons,
swamps, and riverbeds. The bunyip
has been described in a variety of
ways; it has been variously said
to have the head of a dog or a
crocodile; tusks, horns, or a bill;
and the body of a hippopotamus,
an ox, or a manatee, with at least
nine regional variations across
Aboriginal Australia. The fierce
creature is believed to kill and eat
any unwary humans who wander
across its territory.
See also: The quest of Odysseus
66–70 ■ The Dreaming 302–07
■ The killing of Luma-Luma 308–09ISOKELEKEL
Micronesian, 16th century CEIsokelekel (“shining noble”) was a
semimythical warrior. He came
from the island of Kosrae (now in
the Federated States of Micronesia),
and in some accounts was the son
of the thunder god Nan Sapwe.
Isokelekel led an invasion of the
island of Pohnpei, almost 311 miles
(500 km) away. The local king
initially welcomed Isokelekel, but
war eventually broke out between
them. The mighty Isokelekel
triumphed, with his rival running
away and transforming into a fish.
Isokelekel divided Pohnpei between
his sons, from whom the local
chiefs trace their lineage.
See also: The many affairs of
Zeus 42–47 ■ Cherokee creation
236–37 ■ Viracocha the creator
256–57floods, mishaps, and accidents,
which local people attributed to
the rage of the river god.
See also: The founding of Athens
56–57 ■ Perseus and Medusa
82–83 ■ The fish-eyed goddess
finds a husband 211HUVEANE THE CREATOR
Lesotho/South Africa, date
unknownHuveane was the creator god who
made the heavens, the earth, and
humanity. Once he had done so,
and not wishing to be disturbed by
people, he drove pegs into a long
pole and used it as a ladder to
climb into the sky. As he stepped
off each of the pegs, he removed
them so that nobody could follow
him. Huveane has resided in
heaven ever since.
See also: Fire and rice 226–27
■ Cherokee creation 236–37
■ San creation myth 284THE RAIN QUEEN
Limpopo of South Africa,
16th century CEDzugundini was the daughter of
a chief who was forced to flee her
home. She escaped to the Limpopo
region of northwestern South
Africa and established a tribe
called the Balobedu. In this new
queendom, the eldest daughter
would inherit the throne, and
men were not permitted to rule.
Dzugundini was famed for her
rainmaking ability. Rain queens
continued to reign over the
Balobedu until the death of Queen
Makobo Modjadji VI in 2005.
See also: Cybele 116–17 ■ The
descent of Inanna 182–87 ■ Eshu
the trickster 294–97US_336-343_Directory.indd 343 06/12/17 5:15 pm