Noa Noa

Nave Nave Fenua

Taaroa slept with the woman who calls herself Goddess of the Without (or of the sea). Of them are born the white clouds, the black clouds, and the rain.

Taaroa slept with woman who calls herself Goddess of the Within (or of the earth). Of them is born the first germ. Is born in turn all that grows upon the surface of the earth. Is born in turn the mist of the mountains. Is born in turn he who calls himself the Strong. Is born in turn she who calls herself the Beautiful, or the one Adorned-in-order-to-Please.

Mahoüi launches his pirogue. He sits down in the bottom. At his right hangs the hook, fastened to the line by strands of hair. And this line, which he holds in his hand, and this hook, he lets fall down into the depths of the universe in order to fish for the great fish (the earth). The hook has caught. Already the axes show, already the God feels the enormous weight of the world. Tefatou (the God of the earth and the earth itself) caught by the hook, emerges out of the night, still suspended in the immensity of space. Mahoüi has caught the great fish which swims in space, and he can now direct it according to his will. He holds it in his hand. Mahoüi rules also the course of the sun, in such a way that day and night are of equal duration.

Taaroa slept with the woman Ohina, the Goddess of the air. Of them is born the rainbow, the moonlight, then, the red clouds and the red rain.

Taaroa slept with the woman Ohina, Goddess of the bosom of the earth. Of them is born Tefatou, the spirit who animates the earth, and who manifests himself in subterranean noises.

Taaroa slept with the woman called Beyond-the-Earth. Of them are born the Gods Teirü and Roüanoüa. Then in turn Roo who sprang from the flank of his mother's body. And of the same woman were also born Wrath and the Tempest, the Furious Winds, and also the Peace which follows these.

And the source of these spirits is in the place whence the Messengers are sent.