Ancient Tahiti
Also known as: Tahiti and the Society Islands Mythology, Myths and Legends of Ancient Tahiti
A vast compilation of Tahitian cosmogonic traditions, genealogies of gods and chiefs, and mythic narratives, preserving Polynesian oral lore of the Society Islands.
Description
Ancient Tahiti, compiled from the oral traditions of Tahiti and the Society Islands, is among the most comprehensive records of Polynesian mythology. The work preserves creation narratives, genealogies, divine conflicts, and the exploits of legendary figures. It reflects both cosmogonic traditions and the interweaving of sacred and political genealogies. The text not only presents myths of Tangaroa, Ta'aroa, and Tane but also chronicles cultural heroes, priestly lore, and ritual practices, offering a rare and detailed window into Tahitian worldviews before European contact. Teuira Henry compiled and translated accounts gathered by her missionary grandfather John Muggridge Orsmond in the early 19th century, providing a critical resource for Polynesian studies and comparative mythology.
Historiography
The text is primarily derived from the notes of John Muggridge Orsmond, an English missionary in Tahiti during the early 19th century, whose manuscripts were later edited and translated by his granddaughter Teuira Henry. Published in 1928, the book reflects both indigenous oral traditions and missionary-era documentation. Scholars have noted the Christian interpretive frame that sometimes colors the presentation. Despite this, it remains a cornerstone of Polynesian mythography, frequently cited in comparative Polynesian and Oceanic studies.
Date Notes
Based on oral traditions of Tahiti and the Society Islands collected in the 19th century, compiled and published posthumously in 1928
Themes
Major Characters
- Ta'aroa
- Tane
- ʻOro
- Māui
- Hina
Myths
- Creation by Taʻaroa
- Births of the Gods
- Māui Raises the Sky and Slows the Sun
- Hina and the Moon
- Heroic Voyages and Island Foundations
Facts
- Compiled by Teuira Henry from her grandfather John Orsmond's manuscripts.
- Published in 1928 by the Bernice P. Bishop Museum in Honolulu.
- Preserves one of the most complete records of Tahitian mythology.
- Includes extensive genealogies linking gods to chiefs and kings.
- Reflects cosmogonic traditions centered on Ta'aroa as primordial deity.
- Contains detailed descriptions of ritual practices and priestly knowledge.
- Shows Polynesian cultural continuity with wider Oceanic mythologies.
- An important comparative source for studying Polynesian navigation myths.