5 of the Most Powerful Gods in Samoan mythology

1. TAGALOA

Tagaloa, the supreme deity of the Samoan pantheon. Tagaloa governs both the sky and the sea, employing his nets to draw up the sun-fish and the moon-fish, placing them in the heavens. These celestial beings take turns leaping through the sky, returning to the sea like other flying fish. Tagaloa guides the sun-fish during long days and the moon-fish during long nights. Eclipses are explained as the result of the sun-fish and moon-fish engaging in a cosmic union. Originally, the Earth lacked land, and the sea filled the world. Sina, assuming the form of a bird, descended to Earth but found no place to land. Complaining to Tagaloa, he responded by hurling enormous boulders from the heavenly realm and fishing up other islands from the sea’s depths. After Sina’s rest, Tagaloa sent her back to the ancient Samoan islands with a giant creeper vine. As the vine decayed, Tagaloa personally crafted the first humans from large worm-like creatures. Initially all male, the first woman emerged when one of them died, and Tagaloa resurrected her.

2. NAFANUA

The Samoan goddess of war, born as a clot of blood and discarded by her mother, was revived by her father Savea, the god of the land of the dead. Nafanua, unbeatable in battle, played a crucial role in helping Chief Matuna overcome a tyrannical war-chief, showcasing her immense strength and using a massive fallen tree as a war-club. Before wars, chiefs sought Nafanua’s aid through pilgrimages to Falealupo.

3. LOSI

A fishing deity and a trickster figure among the immortal giants in Samoan mythology. Defying Tagaloa’s order to provide fish for a heavenly feast, Losi played pranks by placing fish on gods’ doorways, leading to his banishment. Seeking revenge, he concealed taro roots on each God’s person, in an unconventional manner. (Think something entering your body through an unpleasant entrance.) When he got caught it embarrassed him greatly. Losi and his giant allies later defeated the gods in a unique version of the gods versus giants conflict, bringing earthly treasures to mortals.

4. VAVAU

The Samoan god of peace, sent by Tagaloa to Earth with the mandate to bring peace to humanity. Despite Vavau’s efforts, conflicts persist, and he continues to wander, resolving one conflict only to witness another arise. He has spent an eternity on earth still trying to resolve the conflicts of man.

5. TAEMA & TILAFAIGA

Patron deities of tattooing, born as conjoined twins who, after separation by a floating log, learned the art of tattooing in Fiji. Returning to the Samoan islands, they introduced the artform, and sitting back to back is considered disrespectful to them due to their conjoined origin. To this day traditional tattooing is still practiced as a sacred art form. A right of passage for many modern Samoans.

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