1 definition by Bueno Keen
The primal sky father in Māori mythology
In the mythology of the Maori of New Zealand Rangi is the god of the sky. He was also known as Raki by the Nghaitahu of the South Island of New Zealand. He fell in love with the Papa - the earth and embraced her at a time when there was only darkness. There were numerous offspring of their union, such as Haumea, Rongo, Tane, Tangaroa, Tawhiri and Tu, but these as well as plants and fruit were prevented from growing on the earth by the tightness of the embrace of Rangi and Papa.
To remedy this situation, the other gods separated the two lovers. Some variations of the myths say that the separation was carried out on the orders of Rangi himself. When they separated light was created and the plants could grow. The Nghaitahu said that the morning dew is the tears of Raki for his beloved Papa and the mists are the sighs of Papa for Rangi.
In the mythology of the Maori of New Zealand Rangi is the god of the sky. He was also known as Raki by the Nghaitahu of the South Island of New Zealand. He fell in love with the Papa - the earth and embraced her at a time when there was only darkness. There were numerous offspring of their union, such as Haumea, Rongo, Tane, Tangaroa, Tawhiri and Tu, but these as well as plants and fruit were prevented from growing on the earth by the tightness of the embrace of Rangi and Papa.
To remedy this situation, the other gods separated the two lovers. Some variations of the myths say that the separation was carried out on the orders of Rangi himself. When they separated light was created and the plants could grow. The Nghaitahu said that the morning dew is the tears of Raki for his beloved Papa and the mists are the sighs of Papa for Rangi.
In Māori mythology the primal couple Rangi and Papa (or Ranginui and Papatuanuku) appear in a creation myth explaining the origin of the world.
by Bueno Keen January 31, 2010