Class 10

Maui as Rank’s HeroAT THE CREATION OF THE WORLDRa, the god of light, and Hine, the goddess of darkness and

death, call upon the children of the Earth (Papatuanuku) and Sky (Ranginui) to sever their parents' smothering embrace. Their success creates the first dawn of a new world.

THE BIRTH OF MAUIAges pass and mere mortals journey in and out of our earthly

realm, becoming the ancestors that watch over us. Into this world, Taranga brings five sons.

The youngest is Maui, who dies as a baby. Hine, the goddess of death, rises from the spirit world to embrace the soul of the lifeless infant. But Taranga, in her grief, refuses to give up her baby to death. Instead, she wraps Maui in a lock of her hair and casts Maui into the ocean.

Maui and Rank, continuedUNDER THE SEAThe sons and daughters of the ocean god, Tangaroa, find the dead

infant wrapped in the protective strands of his mother's dark hair. Also drawn to the baby, Ra (god of the sun) marshals the sea spirits to bring Maui back to life, plucking him from the jellyfish and adopting him into his godly kingdom.

Thwarted in her claim for Maui's spirit, Hine relinquishes the baby to Ra's care, while promising to welcome Maui at his death, just as she welcomes all mortal men.

IN THE REALM OF THE SUN-GODRa schools Maui in the godly arts, teaching him an ancient prayer

(karakia). In ignorance of his human limitations, Maui dares to wield Ra's sacred weapon (patu) and unwittingly conjures a vision of his mother, Taranga. Recognizing the comb (heru) in her hair, the impulsive youth is inspired to go in search of his earthly roots.

Rank’s MauiON THE BEACHReturning to the land of his mother, Maui encounters his brothers at play.

Unfamiliar with the customs of the mortal world, he offends them by refusing to take up their offering (taki) with respect. Unpracticed at combat between mortals, Maui is beaten by his brothers.

Rejected and alone, Maui realizes he is out of place both in the world of his mother, Taranga, and his adoptive father, Ra - a mortal raised by gods. In his despair, Maui has a vision of death, but is determined not to fail.

AROUND THE FIREMaui has an emotional reunion with his mother, which is later tempered by

the realization that his former tormentors are actually his older brothers. Taranga tries to welcome Maui by including him in a song that celebrates the family's sacred fire, but his brothers want nothing to do with him.

Snubbed again, Maui accidentally extinguishes his family's fire. When Taranga discovers that the sacred flame has been extinguished, she orders the brothers to fetch a new flame from the cavern of fire.

Group PresentationsCount off by 8. Each group will take a handout

and fill it out thoroughly. Include the specific element and an explanation of how the myth fits the element.

Remember to be thorough in your explanations as this will be the format for the essay part of the midterm.

Presentation 1Themes: Pink handout (2 for each) pp. 324-326 The Creation of the Universe and Human

Beings   

pp. 328-329 P’an Ku  

 pp. 330-333 Chi Li Slays the Serpent

Presentation 2Themes: Pink handout (2 for each)

pp. 355-358 The Creation of Human Beings    pp. 361-365 The Taming of the Sun

   pp. 335-338 Amateratsu 

Presentation 3Bierlin’s Explanations of Existence (2 for each) 

pp. 324-326 The Creation of the Universe and Human Beings    pp. 328-329 P’an Ku    pp. 330-333 Chi Li Slays the Serpent  

Presentation 4Bierlin’s Explanations of Existence (2 for each)

pp. 355-358The Creation of Human Beings    pp. 361-365 The Taming of the Sun

   pp. 335-338 Amateratsu  

Presentation 5Tricksters: Mauipp. 361-365 The Taming of the Sun and pp. 355-356

The Creation of New Zealand

 

Presentation 6Tricksters: (3 for each) Susano o-no-Mikoto pp. 335-338  Amateratsu

Presentation 7Campbell’s Departure (Two for each) pp. 328-329P’an Ku 

pp. 330-333 Chi Li Slays the Serpent  pp. 361-365 (Maui) The Taming of the Sun and

pp. 355-356 The Creation of New Zealand

 

Presentation 8Campbell’s Initiation and Return (One of each for each)  pp. 328-329 P’an Ku   pp. 330-333 Chi Li Slays the Serpent    pp. 361-365 The Taming of the Sun and pp. 355-356The Creation of

New Zealand   

HomeworkClass 11 ()ct. 28) Rosenberg: pp: pp. 521 – 526

Gassire’s Lute Print up and read Mwindo-- under

Myths on the website