Taranga
|
In Polynesian mythology, Taranga (Bua-Taranga to the Samoa) was, with Makea-Tutara, the mother of Maui. Taranga was also the first person to eat cooked food.
Maui was born prematurely, so Taranga wrapped his body in her hair laid him by the waves. Some sea-creatures cared for him, hiding him in kelp until a storm sent him back to the beach. His ancestor, Tama-Rangi, found him and brought him back to life, and educated him.
Maui wandered into a meeting house on day and recognized his brothers, who stood behind their mother. Taranga did know who she was until he reminded him. The next morning, Taranga disappeared and he found her in the underworld. Taking the shape of a wood pigeon, Maui descended after her and found her with his father, Makea-Tutara, the king of the underworld. Taranga introduced them and he prophesied that Maui would be a great hero, then tried and failed at making him immortal.