Editing Avatea (section)

==Mythology==
According to one myth, [[Varima-te-takere|Vari-Ma-Te-Takere]] (The primordial mother) created six children from her body. Three were plucked from her right side and three from her left. The first of which was Avatea, the first man, who was perceived as a [[moon god]]. As he grew he divided vertically into a [[Mythological hybrid|hybrid being]]; the right half was a man and the left half a fish.<ref>''Myth: a handbook'' by William G. Doty; p. 52-53 </ref><ref>Gill (1876), p. 1-3 </ref>

In song, the gods are called "children of Vatea". The same shortened phrase is in use at [[Rarotonga]]: at [[Aitutaki]] and [[Atiu]] the full form "Avatea" is used, e.g. ''kia kakā te mata o Avatea Nui'' meaning "when the eye of Great Avatea is open;" in other words "when the sun is in its full glory;" still in contrast with the darkness and gloom of [[Avaiki]], or the [[Underworld]].<ref>Gill (1876), p. 18</ref>

In Mangaian myth, a beautiful woman visits Vatea in his dreams, and he is certain that she ascends from the [[underworld]] to his side, but when he wakes he can never find her. He strews scraped [[coconut]] about, and, at last, watchers see a slender hand reach for the delicious food. Vatea catches her and discovers that her name is [[Papa (mythology)|Papa]], and marries her. [[Tangaroa]] and [[Rongo]] are their twin sons. Rongo's wife bears a daughter named Tavake. Tavake gives birth to Rangi, Mokoiro, and to Akatauira. Rangi pulls up Mangaia from the underworld, and becomes the first king of the island. His wife's name is Te-po-tatango.<ref>Tregear (1891), p. 392</ref>