Haumia-tiketike (or simply Haumia) is the god of all uncultivated vegetative food in Māori mythology. He is particularly associated with the starchy rhizome of the Pteridium esculentum, which became a major element of the Māori diet in former times. with his arms. Despite Tāne being the one to successfully carry out the task, Haumia's involvement meant he was subjected to the fury of their brother, Tāwhirimātea, god of the winds and storms, who would have killed him if their mother had not hidden him and their brother Rongo-mā-Tāne under her bosom – that is, in the ground.

Genealogy

Many of these relatives may not be considered as gods or greater spirits themselves but may instead be as lesser spirits. The translations of their names represent abstract concepts and aspects of nature, not unlike polytheistic deities.

Parentage

  • Haumia-tiketike is a son of Ranginui and Papatūānuku,
  • In the southern Bay of Plenty and parts of the east coast Haumia-tiketike is a son of Tāne Mahuta, who is the son of Ranginui and Papatūānuku.
  • Namu (sandflies) – Namuiria was the first sandfly, killed by Tūmatauenga.
  • Waeroa (mosquitoes)
  • Rō (stick insects)
  • Aruhe (fern root)

God of uncultivated food plants

Bracken

thumb|right|260px|Haumia-tiketike is the deity associated with wild plants such as the [[Pteridium esculentum|bracken fern.]]

Food-quality rhizomes () were only obtained from the Pteridium esculentum bracken () growing in deep, moderately fertile soils. Bracken became abundant after the arrival of Māori, "mainly a result of burning to create open landscapes for access and ease of travel". Rhizomes were dug in early summer and then dried for use in the winter. Although it was not liked as much as , it was appreciated for its ready availability and the ease with which it could be stored. identified to be responsible for haemorrhagic disease, as well as esophageal cancer, and gastric cancer in humans.

Other plants

A handful of other native plants from across New Zealand that are recorded as traditionally being used for food by Māori include:

  • Cordyline australis – , the shoots and roots could be cooked and eaten, or used to make a sweet beverage.
  • Coriaria arborea – , the juices were extracted from the berries and petals, and could be used to sweeten fernroot, or boiled with seaweed to make a black jelly.
  • Cyathodes juniperina – , edible berries.
  • Dacrycarpus dacrydioides – , edible berries, and could apparently be used to make beer.
  • Dacrydium cupressinum – , edible berries.
  • Gaultheria antipoda – , edible berries.
  • Leucopogon fasciculatus – , edible berries.
  • Lobelia angulata – , the leaves were cooked and eaten as greens.
  • Metrosideros excelsa – , a thin layer of honey was collected from the flowers.
  • Muehlenbeckia australis – , edible berries.

See also

  • Haumea, a Hawaiian goddess of fertility and childbirth

References

Notes

Sources

  • Haumia depicted in , a work by Cliff Whiting