Talk:Manaia (legendary chief)

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Text from Tregear pp 203-204: MANAIA (myth.), a chief of great power and influence, residing in Hawaiki. He was married to Kuiwai, a sister of Ngatoro-i-rangi, and being displeased with her, he insulted her by cursing Ngatoro. She sent her daughter Haungaroa, under the protection of the gods, across the sea to New Zealand, whither Ngatoro had gone. The girl found her uncle at Maketu, and informed him of Manaia's curse, whereupon Ngatoro, greatly enraged, fitted out an expedition, and built the canoe Totara-Keria, wherein he sailed to Hawaiki. Arriving there, he found by means of spies that Manaia's people were all in the temples, praying that Ngatoro and his men might all be brought thither dead by the gods. Ngatoro then ordered his party to proceed to the sacred place, and there pretend to be dead, they all striking their noses so violently as to bring blood, with which they besmeared their bodies. On the incautious close approach of Manaia's people, the supposed corpses leaped up, slew the priests, attacked the town, and slaughtered many; but Manaia himself escaped. This is the battle known as Ihumotomotokia (“the bruised noses”). Manaia got together another force, and attacked Ngatoro, but was again defeated with great loss. This battle is known as Taraiwhenuakura. Ngatoro then returned to New Zealand, and after some time was pursued hither by Manaia and a host of warriors. The hostile fleet arrived off the island of Motiti (Bay of Plenty), where Ngatoro was occupying his pa of Matarehua. Ngatoro, by the power of his spells as a great magician, raised a violent storm (Te-Aputahi-a-Pawa), in which the whole army of Manaia, including their leader, perished, the bodies of the slain being almost wholly eaten by fish. This slaughter was called Maikukutea, because little except the finger-nails (maikuku) of the slain was left —P. M., 102, et seq.

Treagear gives as Ultimate source - Grey's Polynesian Mythology, 102ff.

Mythical creature?

The text below was buried in the Manaia article. I don't know if it's true or not.

"Manaia is also a mythical creature with the head of a bird and the body of a human."

-- Avenue (talk) 10:08, 28 November 2007 (UTC)

I would have thought that was the best-known use of the term! One of the most commonly found motifs in Maori carving and decoration is the Manaia, which is a bird-headed creature and is symbolic of protection. It is very commonly seen in jewellery, especially pendants. There are numerous images which show what it looks like at this google search page Grutness...wha? 11:42, 28 September 2010 (UTC)