Polynesian Mythology

The Gods and Spirits of Polynesia

ATEA

Marquesan Creator God

Creator God

According to Marquesa legend he popped up out of Chaos one day, married Atanua and spawned the first humans.

Meanwhile, Tuamotu mythology claims he’s a Sky God with an embarrassing lack of knowledge about female anatomy. Having created a nice lady God called Fa’ahotu to be his wife, it didn’t occur to him that he’d missed out two important bits until their baby sons almost died of malnutrition. Fa’ahotu had no breasts.

Atea had to suckle them himself, but despite this little mistake Tahu, Ro’o and Tane survived and thrived. In fact Tane went on to be a top God — after hitting his dad with a thunderbolt causing early retirement.

Atea Facts and Figures

Name: Atea
Pronunciation: Coming soon
Alternative names:

Gender: Male
Type: God
Area or people: Marquesas, Tuamotu
Celebration or Feast Day: Unknown at present

Role:
In charge of: Creating
Area of expertise: Creation

Good/Evil Rating: Unknown at present
Popularity index: 4008

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Article last revised on April 29, 2019 by Rowan Allen.
Editors: Peter J. Allen, Chas Saunders

References: Coming soon.

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