P is for Pounamu (Gemstone Folklore)

Welcome to the 2022 A to Z Blogging Challenge! My theme this year is Gemstone Folklore. Because I love stories about shiny things. Read the introduction to the project here.

POUNAMU

Pounamu (sometimes translated as greenstone) is the Maori term used for green colored stones found in New Zealand that play an important role in its indigenous culture. It includes more than one type of mineral - usually nephrite jade, and bowenite (see the letter B earlier). 

Rata and the First Greenstone Axe

Maori legend

Rata's father, a chief, is killed by another chief called Makutu before the boy is born. When he grows up, Rata decides to set out and seek revenge on Makutu. First he needs to make a canoe for the quest, and for that, he needs an axe sharp enough to fell a giant tree. He seeks out a mythical being called Kahué to ask for a stone axe. Hearing Rata's story, Kahué agrees to split some rocks and provide the strongest greenstone for the axe. However, the axe thus formed is not sharp yet. Rata has to take it to the Whetstone Goddess, and sharpen it over her backbone. Rata seeks out the goddess, prays to her, and she allows him to sharpen his greenstone axe.

(In another variant of the story, the greenstone axe is left to Rata by his ancestors, buried underground until he needs it.)

With the use of the axe Rata manages to create a giant canoe (although he fails at it multiple times, because he doesn't show proper respect to the deities of nature). He sets out to the far east, and reaches the land of the Ponaturi, beings who hide underwater in the day and come to land at night. With the help of a captive woman Rata and his men manage to trap Makutu, cut him, and transform him into a bittern bird. They return home victorious, carrying the bones of Rata's father so they can give him a proper burial.

Rata becomes a famous chief, and teaches all his people how to make pounamu axes. The red-blossoming rata tree is named in his honor.

Sources: Read versions of this story here, here, here, and here. Read more Maori legends about pounamu here.

Have you ever been to New Zealand? Have you read any literature from there?

B is for Bowenite Tears (Gemstone Folklore)

Welcome to the 2022 A to Z Blogging Challenge! My theme this year is Gemstone Folklore. Because I love stories about shiny things. Read the introduction to the project here.

BOWENITE

Bowenite is a hard, green semi-precious stone that plays an important role in the Maori culture of New Zealand (better known by the indigenous name pounamu, greenstone, see P later this month). It has a clear, translucent form called tangiwai, found in New Zealand in the area of Piopiotahi (Milford Sound).

The Tears That Turned to Stone

New Zealand

In Maori legends, greenstone has a deity, Ngahue, who commanded a taniwha (large water creature) named Poutini in guarding the precious greenstones. His adversary was Hinehoaka, goddess off sandstone, and her own taniwha, Whatipu (because sandstone is used to chisel greenstone). Once, during their struggles, Poutini had to flee. Stopping at Tuhua (Mayor Island) to rest, Poutini came across a beautiful woman named Waitaiki, felt lust for her, and kidnapped her, taking her along on his journey.

The woman's husband, Tamaahua, managed to track his stolen wife with the help of a magic dart. A long pursuit ensued, making various stops going south along the west coast of the islands, until Tamaahua almost caught up to the water creature dragging his wife along. Finally, stopping at the Arahura River, Poutini used his powers to turn the beautiful Waitaiki into greenstone. Tamaahua arrived too late. All he could do was weep over his petrified wife. His tears seeped into the stone, and created a clear form of bowenite, with tear-shaped marks, known as tangiwai - "tear water." In other versions, Waitaiki's own tears turned into stone as she wept for her husband.

The fascinating part: this legend is a complete, detailed "spoken map" of the coast of the New Zealand and its mineral resources.

Sources: 

Read the detailed story in this book. An early mention of the legend can be found in this book. You can also find information here and here.

Have you ever been to New Zealand? 

Were you aware of the importance of green stones in Maori culture?