Aumakua

In Hawaiian mythology, an okinaaumakua (pronounced|auməˈkuːə, enPR2|ouʹmä-ko͞oʹä in English; often spelled aumakua or 'aumakua) was a family god, often a deified ancestor. The plural of ʻaumakua is nā ʻaumākua (IPA|/ˈnɑːokinaaokinaokinamokinaːkuːə/, näʹou-mäʹko͞o-ä), although in English the plural is usually okinaaumakuas. Nā okinaaumākua frequently manifested as animals such as sharks or owls. Nā okinaaumākua were worshipped at localities (often rocks) where they were believed to "dwell". The appearance of an animal one regarded as an okinaaumakua was often believed to be an omen (of good or ill). There are also many stories of nā okinaaumākua (in animal form) intervening to save their descendants from harm. It was extremely bad luck to harm a manifested okinaaumakua.

Some families had many okinaaumākua. Mary Kawena Pukui's family had at least fifty known okinaaumākua. [Pukui, Mary Kawena; E. W. Haertig, Catharine A. Lee (June 1983). "Nana I Ke Kumu (Look to the Source)". Hui Hanai. .]

Manifestations

Traditionally, the hawk ("okinaio") is regarded as the special okinaaumākua for the "aliokinai" (nobility). Consequently, to see a hawk flying overhead was considered a good omen for nobles, and harming one was very bad luck.

Nā okinaaumākua were thus animals, places or rocks, and people. Ancient Hawaiians would have seen no contradiction in a powerful spirit being able to appear as all three, switching from form to form as convenient -- as is indeed seen in many stories of gods and demi-gods.

A symbiotic relationship exists between person and okinaaumākua, the personal guardians of each individual and their family and the ancient source gods from whom Hawaiians were descended.

okinaAumākua can manifest in nature. The form varies family to family. Whatever its form, the okinaaumākua is one specific shark, owl, etc. However, all members of the species are treated with respect of family members.

If family okinaaumākua, these manifestations were not harmed or eaten; in turn, okinaaumākua warned and reprimanded in dreams, visions, and calls.

"okinaAumākua are intimate members of the human family, spiritual relationships with them are especially close and their presence is sought for feast and festivity, as well as in time of crisis. They act as healers and advisors, counteracting troubles and punishing faults."-J. Gutmanis

okinaAumākua could appear as:
*honu, (Turtle
*pueo, owl (as at Manoa, Oahu, Kau and Puna)
*manō, shark (all islands except Kauai)
*okinaio, hawk (at Hawaii Island)
*okinaelepaio, flycatcher (also the goddess of canoe makers)
*okinaiokinaiwi/okinaiwi, scarlet honeycreeper (whose feathers were used extensively in featherwork)
*‘alae ‘ulacite web |url= http://www.hanahou.com/pages/Magazine.asp?Action=DrawArticle&ArticleID=592&MagazineID=38 |title= Learning the Land |author= Dennis Hollier |work= Hana Hou! Vol 10, No. 4 |date= August/September 2007 |quote= ] , mudhen (whose cry was considered a bad omen)
*heokinae, octopus
*puhi, eel
*okinaiole liʻiliʻi, mouse
*okinaiole, rat
*okinaīlio, dog
*mookinao, lizard, or dragon |author= Pali Jae Lee/ref>
*peokinaelua/okinaenuhe/nuhe/okinaanuhe/poko, caterpillar
*pōhaku, rock
*leho, cowry
*ao, cloud
*mea kanu, plant

References