Aku-Aku (mythology)

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This article is about the spirit of the dead in Rapa Nui mythology. For other uses, see Aku Aku.
Wooden kavakava (carved figurines) representing Aku-Aku

Aku-Aku ('Devil', 'Ghost' or 'Spirit'), also known as Aku, Akuaku or Varua, are humanoid spirits in Rapa Nui mythology of the Easter Island.[1][2]

Aku-Aku are spirits of the dead, but they are not immortal and can be disposed of. They can be of either sex, and different Aku-Aku are associated with particular areas of the Easter Island. Some of the Aku-Aku are deified. They originally arrived onto the island with Hotu Matuꞌa, the legendary first settler of Easter Island. The original group of Aku-Aku who arrived with Hotu Matuꞌa numbered around 90, and were generally cannibalistic in nature.[1][3]

Specific Aku-Aku includes:[3]

  • Uka-o-hoheru, female, who married the mortal Tupahotu
  • Kava-ara and Kava-tua, females, who captured the mortal Uré-a-hohové until he was saved by another old Aku-Aku
  • Mata-wara-ware and Papai-a-taki-vera, husband and wife, who capture human souls at night which would lead to their deaths
  • Two Aku-Aku who were visited by Tu’u Koihu, son of Hotu Matuꞌa[2]

Islanders who could communicate with Aku-Aku are known as koromaké or iva-atua. There were stories of iva-atuas being employed to dispose of particularly violent Aku-Aku.[1][3] Aku-Aku was not particularly worshiped, but they were acknowledged before a meal was taken. It was said that Aku-Aku live off the aroma of a meal. A 'well-fed' and friendly Aku-Aku would participate in household chores for a family.[1] When entering caves, which were thought to be their homes, ceremonial rituals such as umu tahu can be performed to ward off bad luck or misfortune.[4]

References[]

  1. ^ a b c d Theresa Bane (12 May 2016). Encyclopedia of Giants and Humanoids in Myth, Legend and Folklore. McFarland. pp. 14–15. ISBN 978-1-4766-2338-2.
  2. ^ a b "EASTER ISLAND MYSTERY - MYTHS". Imagina Easter Island. 2020-03-17. Archived from the original on 2020-07-07. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
  3. ^ a b c Robert D. Craig (1989). Dictionary of Polynesian Mythology. Greenwood Publishing Group. pp. 6–7. ISBN 978-0-313-25890-9.
  4. ^ "EASTER ISLAND CAVES". Imagina Easter Island. 2019-10-07. Archived from the original on 2020-07-07. Retrieved 2020-07-07.
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