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Maori Religion and Mythology Part 2

Clouds

Clouds

Hine-kapua Ao-whetuma
Tukapua Ao-whekere
Aonui Ao-kahiwahiwi
Ao-roa Ao-kanapanapa
Ao-pouri Ao-takawe
Ao-potango Ao-whakapuke
Ao-tu-te-heihei Ao-Uhirangi
Aopokairangi Ao-haere
Ao-whakaaweawe Ao-tu
Ao-paratiti Ao-tutumaiao
Ao-tarahau Ao-kapua
Ao-tukupu Ao-tauhinga
Ao-tupuni Ao-parauri
Takerewai Ao-hore
page 307

These are personified forms of clouds, the Cloud Children who dwell within the Ahoaho o Tukapua, and occasionally wander across the breast of Rangi and throughout the space between Rangi and Papa. Tukapua, Te Ihorangi (rain) and Tama-te-uira (lightning) dwell at Aokapuarangi and control the Cloud Children. Hine-hapua was a daughter of Tane and Hine-ahu-one. The name Ahoaho o Tukapua may be rendered as "the open space of Tukapua". Te Mamaru and Mawakenui, who, like Tukapua, were children of Rangi and Papa, are also mentioned as controllers of the clouds, which serve as a screen or shelter for Papa, the earth. These cloud controllers called upon Hine-moana and Hine-wai (the Ocean Maid and Rain Maid) to despatch Hine-makohu-rangi, the Mist Maid as a covering for Rangi, the sky. Such are the clouds above us, a product of the warmth of Hine-moana, of Hine-wai, and of Tuanuku, hence the mist, clouds and rain we know.

The names Pipi o te rangi, Pipipi o te rangi, and Haupipi o te rangi are proper names applied to clouds of peculiar form from which weather signs were derived. These I look upon as proper names, but not as personifications.