ORIGIN: Polynesian [Hervey Islands]
TYPE: Moon God
INFORMATION: The first born of the great mother Vari-Ma-Te-Takere and the elder sibling of Tinirau. According to tradition, Vari-Ma-Te-Takere plucked a piece from her right side to engender Avatea, who is half man, half fish. He is divided vertically with his left side fishy and his right side human. He is the father of gods and humankind, and is said to live in the coconut of the world. After a temporary period existing low down in the shell, he was assigned to the opening of the upper world, immediately above the home of Tinirau. Also Vatea; Wakea; (Hawaiian).
MYTHOLOGY: According to one myth, Vari-Ma-Te-Takere (The primordial mother) created six children from her body. Three were plucked from her right side and three from her left. The first of which was Avatea, the first man, who was perceived as a moon god. As he grew he divided vertically into a hybrid being; the right half was a man and the left half a fish.
In song, the gods are called "children of Vatea". The same shortened phrase is in use at Rarotonga: at Aitutaki and Atiu the full form "Avatea" is used, e.g. kia kaka te mata o Avatea Nui meaning "when the eye of Great Avatea is open;" in other words "when the sun is in its full glory;" still in contrast with the darkness and gloom of Avaiki, or the Underworld.
In Mangaian myth, a beautiful woman visits Vatea in his dreams, and he is certain that she ascends from the underworld to his side, but when he wakes he can never find her. He strews scraped coconut about, and, at last, watchers see a slender hand reach for the delicious food. Vatea catches her and discovers that her name is Papa, and marries her. Tangaroa and Rongo are their twin sons. Rongo's wife bears a daughter named Tavake. Tavake gives birth to Rangi, Mokoiro, and to Akatauira. Rangi pulls up Mangaia from the underworld, and becomes the first king of the island. His wife's name is Te-po-tatango.