In
Samoan mythology, Tagaloa (also known as Tagaloa-Lagi or Tagaloa, Lagi of the Heavens/Skies) is generally accepted as the supreme ruler,
Journal of Pacific History, Vol. 33, Mo.2, J998 the creator of the universe, the chief of all gods and the progenitor of other gods. Tagaloa Lagi dwelt in space and made the Heavens the sky, the land, the seas, the fresh water, the trees and the people. Samoans believed Tagaloa created nine heavens.
Tagaloa's role as paramount deity in the Samoa pantheon bears similarities to the position of
Ta'aroa in Tahiti and
Io Matua Kore
Io Matua Kore is often understood as the supreme being in Polynesian narrative, particularly of the Māori people.
Io does seem to be present in the mythologies of other Polynesian islands including Hawai‘i, the Society Islands, and the Cook ...
in Aotearoa New Zealand.
The arrival of missionaries and Christianity in Samoa from 1830 saw the Samoan Lagi gods like Tagaloa replaced by the Christian deity.
Tagaloa in mythology
Tagaloa features in many of Samoa's myths and legends.
* Tagaloa rolled stones from heaven. One became the island
Savai'i and the other stone became the island of
Upolu.
Legends of Maui by W. D. Westervelt, p.25
* One legend tells that Tagaloa had two children, a son Moa and a daughter Lu. Tagaloa's daughter Lu had a son, also called Lu. Young Lu argued with his uncle Moa and fled to earth which he called Samoa.
Dictionary of Polynesian mythology by Robert D. Craig, p. 28
* Tagaloa is the father of gods
Lagi (mythology), Lagi
* Tagaloa is a sun god whose son Alo'alo married Sina, the daughter of Tuifiti. There is a legend about a figure called
Tui Fiti in the village of
Fagamalo
Fagamalo is a village situated on the central north coast of Savai'i in Samoa. It is a sub-village or ''pito nu'u'' of the larger traditional village enclave of Matautu in the political district of Gaga'emauga. The population of the village is 3 ...
on the island of Savai'i.
* In
Manu'a, Tagaloa sent a vine to earth that resulted in maggots which became human beings.
* Tagaloa brought a war god called Fe'e (octopus) to Manu'a
* In
Samoan architecture
The architecture of Samoa is characterised by openness, with the design mirroring the culture and life of the Samoan people who inhabit the Samoa Islands. , Tagaloa also features in a story which explains why Samoan houses are round.
See also
*
Io Matua Kore
Io Matua Kore is often understood as the supreme being in Polynesian narrative, particularly of the Māori people.
Io does seem to be present in the mythologies of other Polynesian islands including Hawai‘i, the Society Islands, and the Cook ...
paramount deity in New Zealand Māori mythology
*
Ta{{okinaaroa paramount deity in Tahitian mythology
*
Tangaloa Tongan mythology
*
Tangaroa New Zealand Maori mythology
*
Kanaloa Hawaii mythology
References
Samoan deities
Polynesian deities
Creator gods