Tu

Also known as: Ku · Family: the New Zealand legends · Role: son of heaven and earth · First appears: Chapter III · Maui Lifting the Sky · Part 1

In Chapter III · Maui Lifting the Sky · Part 1, the New Zealand legend names Tu as one of the six sons of heaven and earth. Alongside Rongo, Tangaroa (also called Kanaloa), and Haumia Tiki-tiki, he failed to lift the sky; Tane eventually raised it.

Afterwards, Tawhiri waged war against his brothers and drove them and their descendants into hiding places on land and sea.

Relationship record

Life events

• In the New Zealand legend, Rongo, Tangaroa, Haumia Tiki-tiki, and Tu failed to lift the sky, but Tane raised it.(Chapter III · Maui Lifting the Sky · Part 1)
  • With: Rongo Kanaloa Haumia Tiki-tiki Kane
  • “Rongo (Hawaiian god Lono) the ‘father of food plants,’ attempted to lift the sky, but could not tear it from the earth. Then Tangaroa (Kanaloa), the ‘father of fish and reptiles,’ failed. Haumia Tiki-tiki (Maui Kiikii), the ‘father of wild food plants,’ could not raise the clouds. Then Tu (Hawaiian Ku), the ‘father of fierce men,’ struggled in vain. But Tane (Hawaiian Kane), the ‘father of giant forests,’ pushed and lifted until he thrust the sky far up above him.”
• In the New Zealand legend, Tawhiri waged war against his brothers and drove them and their descendants into hiding.(Chapter III · Maui Lifting the Sky · Part 1)
  • With: Tawhiri Rongo Kanaloa Haumia Tiki-tiki Kane
  • “Afterwards the last son, Tawhiri (father of storms), was angry and waged war against his brothers. He hid in the sheltered hollows of the great skies. There he begot his vast brood of winds and storms with which he finally drove all his brothers and their descendants into hiding places on land and sea.”

Chapter III · Maui Lifting the Sky · Part 1

• siblings with Rongo “Then the six sons of heaven and earth, born during this period of darkness, felt the need of light and discussed the necessity of separating their parents--the sky from the earth--and decided to attempt the work. Rongo (Hawaiian god Lono) the ‘father of food plants,’ attempted to lift the sky, but could not tear it from the earth. Then Tangaroa (Kanaloa), the ‘father of fish and reptiles,’ failed. Haumia Tiki-tiki (Maui Kiikii), the ‘father of wild food plants,’ could not raise the clouds. Then Tu (Hawaiian Ku), the ‘father of fierce men,’ struggled in vain.”
• siblings with Kanaloa “Then the six sons of heaven and earth, born during this period of darkness, felt the need of light and discussed the necessity of separating their parents--the sky from the earth--and decided to attempt the work. Rongo (Hawaiian god Lono) the ‘father of food plants,’ attempted to lift the sky, but could not tear it from the earth. Then Tangaroa (Kanaloa), the ‘father of fish and reptiles,’ failed. Haumia Tiki-tiki (Maui Kiikii), the ‘father of wild food plants,’ could not raise the clouds. Then Tu (Hawaiian Ku), the ‘father of fierce men,’ struggled in vain.”
• siblings with Haumia Tiki-tiki “Then the six sons of heaven and earth, born during this period of darkness, felt the need of light and discussed the necessity of separating their parents--the sky from the earth--and decided to attempt the work. Rongo (Hawaiian god Lono) the ‘father of food plants,’ attempted to lift the sky, but could not tear it from the earth. Then Tangaroa (Kanaloa), the ‘father of fish and reptiles,’ failed. Haumia Tiki-tiki (Maui Kiikii), the ‘father of wild food plants,’ could not raise the clouds. Then Tu (Hawaiian Ku), the ‘father of fierce men,’ struggled in vain.”
• siblings with Kane “Then the six sons of heaven and earth, born during this period of darkness, felt the need of light and discussed the necessity of separating their parents--the sky from the earth--and decided to attempt the work. Rongo (Hawaiian god Lono) the ‘father of food plants,’ attempted to lift the sky, but could not tear it from the earth. Then Tangaroa (Kanaloa), the ‘father of fish and reptiles,’ failed. Haumia Tiki-tiki (Maui Kiikii), the ‘father of wild food plants,’ could not raise the clouds. Then Tu (Hawaiian Ku), the ‘father of fierce men,’ struggled in vain. But Tane (Hawaiian Kane), the ‘father of giant forests,’ pushed and lifted until he thrust the sky far up above him.”
• enemies with Tawhiri “Afterwards the last son, Tawhiri (father of storms), was angry and waged war against his brothers.”
• siblings with Tawhiri “Afterwards the last son, Tawhiri (father of storms), was angry and waged war against his brothers.”

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Extracted from the original text of Legends of Ma-ui. Made with Rho MD.