Editing Marama (mythology)

{{Short description|Polynesian deity}}
'''Marama''' is a [[Polynesian mythology|Polynesian deity]] of varying representation and importance depending on the society or tribe being discussed. 

To the Maori people, Marama is the moon, a male deity who married Hina, the daughter of Tangaroa. However, the moon is also considered to be the husband of all women due to the effect of the moon on women every month. <ref>[http://nzetc.victoria.ac.nz/tm/scholarly/tei-Bes02Reli-t1-body-d4-d5-d3.html Maori religion and mythology Part 2: Lunar Myths]</ref> In the Gambier Islands, Marama is also considered to be the moon, however in Samoa and Tahiti, Marama is considered to be the deity of Light, highlighting how different mythology can be, especially across the vast expanse of [[Oceania]]. <ref name=":0">{{Cite book |last=Smith Craighill Handy |first=Edward |title=Polynesian Religion |date=1927 |publisher=The Museum |edition=12th |pages=35–101}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal |last=Tregear |first=E |date=September 1893 |title=Asiatic Gods in the Pacific |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20701291 |journal=The Journal of the Polynesian Society |volume=2 |issue=3 |pages=133–139 |jstor=20701291}}</ref> In Samoa, Marama is also considered to be the founder and patron of woodworkers and carpenters. <ref name=":0" />

The Opunohu Valley has 3 Tahitian occupation phases, Atiro'o (7-1650), Marama (1650-1788), and Pomare (1788-1843). The Marama phase is named after the Marama family whom conquered the Atiro'o and divided the valley into Amehiti and Tupaururu, then made new settlements in Tupaururu.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Descantes |first=Christophe |date=1993 |title=Simple Marae of the 'Opunohu Valley Mo'orea, Society Islands, French Polynesia |url=https://www.jstor.org/stable/20706504 |journal=The Journal of the Polynesian Society |volume=102 |issue=2 |pages=187–216 |issn=0032-4000}}</ref>

== Genealogy ==
Little is known about Marama, many mentions of him are only to explain the genealogy of other more prominent gods of the time. The genealogy is as follows: First there is the Supreme Being, Io, from Io comes Marama and from Marama is Po. Finally, from Po, is Rangi and Papa, Heaven Father and Earth Mother, from which all other gods were descended.<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite book |last=Dixon |first=Roland |title=The Mythology of all Races |date=1916 |publisher=Marshall Jones |edition=5th |pages=265–307}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of lunar deities]]
* [[Mythology of Oceania]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Marama (Mythology)}}
[[Category:Cook Islands mythology]]
[[Category:Lunar gods]]


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