Maori mythology is a bunch of stories that tell us how the Maori people of New Zealand saw the world around them. These stories often have gods and goddesses, and they explain things like creation, birth, and death.
In Maori mythology, there are gods and goddesses for everything, like the god of the forest, the god of the sea, and the goddess of the sky. These gods have their own stories and personalities. Sometimes they would help humans, and other times they would cause trouble.
One of the most important characters in Maori mythology is Tāne, the god of forests and birds. He is responsible for separating earth and sky and creating life on earth. Rangi and Papa are also very important gods. They represent the sky father and earth mother and are considered the parents of all other gods and humans.
Maori mythology also talks about different creatures like taniwha, which are often portrayed as powerful and dangerous water monsters. They are believed to guard rivers and other water bodies.
In Maori mythology, stories and myths are often told through song and dance. These stories are an important part of Maori culture and are passed down from generation to generation.
So, Maori mythology is a set of stories that the Maori people of New Zealand believed in to explain their world and its origins. From gods and goddesses to creatures and legends, these stories are a significant part of their culture and history.