KUMULIPO

KUMULIPO

• Mele ko`ihonua or genealogical chant

• Over 2000 lines long

• Echoes the complexities and details of the Hawaiian thought process and perspective

KUMULIPO

• Divides ancient Hawaiian history into 16 time periods or wā

• Divided into 2 sections– Ka pō: The darkness, the age of spirits (1st 8 time

periods)

– Ua ao: Arrival of light and the gods (last 8 time periods)

KUMULIPO• The lineage of Papahānaumoku (also known as

Papa or Haumea) and Wākea are mentioned in the Kumulipo, the epic chant of creation according to the Hawaiian people.

• According to the Kumulipo, Papahānaumoku (Earth Mother) was born in darkness and Wākea (Sky Father) was created in the light. Their union, symbolizing male light’s penetration into female’s darkness, brought forth the birth of the Hawaiian islands and the Hawaiian people.

PAPA• Dr. Taupōuri Tangarō defines

Papa as “the earth, the crust upon which floats the oceans, her ambiotic fluid; the crust that feeds the growth of coral, the placenta of ocean life. Whereas Wākea anchors us to the universe, Papahānaumoku anchors us to a geography, our sacred land base.”

WĀKEA Tangarō defines Wākea as “the

male parent of Premordial origins, this informs us that Hawaiʻi’s traditional consciousness is not only land-based, but celestial, not only anchored in living land but in the sky, as well.”

The Hawaiian Dictionary defines Wākea as the mythical ancestor of all Hawaiians.

HĀLOA• The myth of Hāloa is

located in the Kumulipo and has been passed down generation to generations

MYTH OF HĀLOA• The first birth was an unformed

fetus (keiki ʻaluʻalu), who was born prematurely. He was named Hāloanakalaukapalili, meaning the quivering long stalk.

• Hāloanakalaukapalili was buried at the eastern corner of the house and from his burial grew the first kalo (taro) plant.

MYTH OF HĀLOA• The second birth was a child

named Hāloa in honor of his elder brother. Hāloa was born strong and healthy and is believed to be the first kanaka maoli, or Hawaiian man.

• Hāloa means long breath

KULEANA• Thus,

Haloanakalaukapalili, the kalo, is considered to be the older sibling and the kanaka Hawai`i (Hawaiian people) the younger sibling.

KALO

• The kalo (taro) plant plays a vital part in the genealogy of the Hawaiian people as their most important crop and main sustenance.

`OHANA

• It is also important to note that the term ʻohana (family) comes from the kalo plant itself. The corm of the kalo is called the ʻohā.

SHOWING RESPECT• In Hawaiian tradition, it

is considered disrespectful to fight in front of an elder. One should not raise the voice, speak angrily or make rude comments or gestures.