Welcome to information regarding the Waitaha Creation story. We will periodically be adding information and stories, so stay tuned. Included is a Word Study component, for those desiring to know more of the language in the stories and what the words mean.
Waitaha Creation Story
In the beginning IO MATA NGARO, God of the Gods, Father and Mother of the Unborn, Creator of All, called the Universe into being.
And all those born of the stars were brothers and sisters, kin within one family. And the humankind traveled the tides of the womb to the World of Light. And their spirit soared free.
And they fell into the World of Darkness where evil reached out to send the Children of Tane on trails of pain and sorrow. And they turned again to the Light and stood tall within the Circle of Peace.
Word Study:
IO: Supreme Being
Mata: Prophetic song, spell, or charm.
NGARO: to be hidden.
Reference:
Volume One: Song of Waitaha. The Histories of a Nation.
Volume Two: Whispers of Waitaha: Traditions of a Nation. The Grandmother Stories.
Dedication Page: written by te Uri Te Pani Manawatu. Tuahiwi, 1989. The teachings of six men, one of whom was the grandfather of Raymond Tekorako Ruka. His name: Wiremu Ruka Te Korako. Blessed be his name and lineage.
“We are of the void….”
In the beginning was Karakia and in Karakia was the beginning.
Nothing
The Void
And in the depths of the void there was a Great Sound
And in the Great Sound there was Something
And Something made the Seas of the Dust
And the Dust was like Hine Pu Kohu Rangi
And She swirled around the Heavens
And then came a Sudden Light that was called Te Ra
And He warmed the Heavens
And out of the Dust and the Warmth was made the Earth
And She was called Papatuanuka
And Land was formed out of Chaos
And Io separated the Earth from the Other Lands
And set them on their journeys through Time.
Song of Waitaha The Histories of a Nation Page 16