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Mythology
Polynesian Fish Legends
The fish gods and hero-fisherman narratives across Polynesian cultures - from Hawaiian Kamapua'a to Maori Maui fishing up islands.
Era: Ancient Region: Polynesia
📖 Overview
In Polynesian mythology, Maui famously fishes up the North Island of New Zealand from the ocean floor with a magical hook. Hawaiian tradition includes the shape-shifting Kamapua'a and dozens of fish deities. These stories reflect the deep cultural centrality of fishing across the Polynesian expansion.