What was the SETTING/CREATION SPACE of Maori mythology?
Maori mythology originated in Polynesia, specifically in what is now known as New Zealand. The Maori people are the indigenous inhabitants of the country and their mythology evolved over centuries in this geographic region. The diverse landscape of New Zealand, including its mountains, forests, rivers, and coastline, greatly influenced the stories and beliefs of Maori mythology. The mythology was traditionally passed down orally through generations, before being recorded in written form.
I meant about how the gods created humans and such, acorrding to Maori myths
According to Maori myths, the world was created and shaped by various deities, known as gods and goddesses. The supreme deity in Maori mythology is usually considered to be Io, the supreme god, although in some variants he is not actively involved in creation stories.
One of the key figures in the Maori creation myth is Tane Mahuta, the god of forests and birds. It is believed that Tane Mahuta separated his parents, Rangi (the sky) and Papa (the earth), to create space and light. This act allowed for the existence of other gods and the eventual creation of humans. Tane Mahuta then formed the first woman, Hineahuone, out of clay and breathed life into her, giving birth to humanity.
In addition to Tane Mahuta, other gods played important roles in the creation and development of humans. For example, Tawhiri-Matea, the god of winds and storms, was said to have created the first diseases and afflictions that humans had to overcome. Other deities like Tangaroa, the god of the sea, and Tanemahuta, the god of birds and forests, also played significant roles in the formation and sustenance of humanity.
These creation stories vary among different Maori tribes and regions, but they generally share the common idea that gods played a central role in the creation of humans and the world they inhabit.