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ISSUE 4 AUTUMN/WINTER 2012
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Widespread throughout Aotearoa, Piwakawaka is one of the native forest
birds that holds a significant position in Maori mythology.
Piwakawaka’s Haka War Dance
In a showdown battle between the land birds and the sea birds, Piwakawaka
postured into a towering position, then danced, glared and performed all
manner of gesticulations including jumping from side to side while brandishing
a weapon. One can easily see why it is said that the haka war dance owes
something to this dance of the piwakawaka in mythological times.
How the Charming
Piwakawaka Got His Fan Tail
Maui was on a search for ways to keep his family warm while Mahuika, the
goddess of fire, was trying to keep them in the dark and cold through the long
winter months.
Upon discovering that Piwakawaka had information he needed, Maui grabbed
him and demanded the location of the fire, “Tell me or I’ll squeeze you to death”.
As he squeezed harder, the bird’s tail fanned out and his eyes bulged from the
pressure–resulting in Piwakawaka’s characteristic appearance today.
Piwakawaka relented, telling Maui that the fire was hidden beneath the
ironwood tree. “You will need to ask Mahuika in order to find it.” Maui gave
Piwakawaka one last squeeze and ran off to find the goddess and her tree.
Piwakawaka gets even
Piwakawaka got its revenge for his rough treatment by not obeying instructions
when he accompanied Maui on what was to be his last and greatest exploit into
the realms of the underworld.
As mother of mankind, Hinenuitepo, had decreed from the troublesome earliest
days of creation that man should live one cycle of life, then die. Maui, wanting
to give mankind everlasting life, sought to kill this goddess of death and by so
doing, abolish death forever.
When Maui asked his father what Hinenuitepo looked like, he replied: “You will
see that her body is like that of a human being, but of gigantic size, with thighs
as red as the setting sun. You will see eyes of greenstone, flashing like the
opening and shutting of the horizon in summer lightening. You will see teeth
as sharp as flaked obsidian, a mouth like that of a barracouta, and hair like a
tangled mass of sea kelp”.
As he had once forced the sun to stay longer in the sky, Maui would now
attempt to coerce Hinenuitepo to relinquish her death hold on humans. On his
quest to destroy her, he shapeshifted into the form of a sparrow hawk and
chose as his companions on the journey – Piwakawaka, Riroriro, Miromiro and
Toutouwai.
Maui’s plan was to enter the womb of Hinenuitepo when she was sleeping and,
by passing through her vital organs to her mouth, destroy death. He took the
form of a noke worm and crawled up her leg while she slept. Watching this,
Piwakawaka saw an opportunity to get even. He began to dance and chirp with
abandon, awakening the goddess.
Hinenuitepo noticed the invading worm and crushed Maui between her legs,
killing him. Ever since there has been a bit of superstition associated with
fantails. It is believed that if Piwakawaka flies into a home, death, generally of a
male, is nearby.
Maori Legend has it...
Image by Sam Clar
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