Crossword clues for atua
Wikipedia
Atua or Akua are the gods and spirits of the Polynesian peoples such as the Māori or the Hawaiians. The Polynesian word literally means power or strength and so the concept is similar to that of mana. Today, it is also used for the monotheistic conception of God. Especially powerful atua included:
- Rongo – god of agriculture and peace
- Tane – the creator of all living things such as animals, birds and trees
- Tangaroa – god of the sea
- Tu – the god of war
- Whiro – god of darkness and evil
In Samoa, where atua means "god" in the Samoan language, traditional tattooing was based on the doctrine of tutelary spirits. There is also a district on the island of Upolu in Samoa called Atua.
Atua is the most ancient district of Samoa, now consisting of most of the eastern section of Upolu but also traditionally incorporates Tutuila and once all of Upolu and Savaii. The head of the district is the sub district of Aleipata (Ao)Eastern part, The back at Lufulufi Anoamaa northern part, The Tail or I'u at Falealili at the south western end of Atua. The district has a population (2001 Census) of 21,168.
The paramount lineage is the Tui Atua line. Traditionally, and from the formation of Atua all honours came from Leifi Ao o Atua (supreme head) who left his younger cousin Tui Atua Polailevao c. 1300 to care for Leifi's malae of Lalogafuafua, Lufilufi. Lalogafuafua being the main central meeting malae of all of Atua district. Also the malae where all Tui Atua Titles are correctly bestowed.
It is timeless Atuan protocol for the Tui Atua title-holder to appointed by LEIFI once correct lineage had been established, and a suitable candidate found. So was the way with Samoa's first female Tui Atua named Salamasina. Salamasina's predecessor Tui Atua Faatulou Matautia who had requested from LEIFI to allow his reign to be continued through his niece Salamasina c. 1450-1500.
The Tui Atua is one of the most ancient lineages in Samoa only predated by Tui Manu'a. Tui Atua alone are direct lineage heirs of the Tagaloalagi line of kings. The other ancient lines are the Tui Manu'a and the Tui A'ana.
Category:Districts of Samoa
Usage examples of "atua".
Vehiatua is the king of the smaller one -- the most powerful of the Indian princes.
Several of Poino's relatives had accompanied him to Tetiaroa, and among them was a young girl, a member of the great Vehiatua family of Taiarapu, in charge of two old women.
And then, turning to me courteously, Vehiatua asked me to join him at his meal.
Vehiatua, Teina, and two or three other great chiefs of those days were never permitted to walk, for the touch of their feet rendered a commoner's land theirs.
I said, "I have spoken to my taio, and he has promised to ask Vehiatua for your hand.
I showed them first to Vehiatua, who turned them admiringly in his hands.
I perceived at this time that the large Indian canoes, like Vehiatua's, could outpoint and outfoot any European vessel of their day.
We slept on board Vehiatua's vessel that night, and next morning -- since the passage around the southeast extremity of Taiarapu was judged dangerous, owing to the violent currents and sunken reefs extending far out to sea --our vessel was dragged on rollers across the isthmus, a distance of about a mile and a half, by a great company of people from the near-by district of Vairao, summoned for the purpose.
It was mid-afternoon when we reached Tautira, where Vehiatua resided most of the time.
No man in the world, perhaps, save Vehiatua, possessed a house commanding such a view.
This good-natured personage moved out cheerfully when informed that Vehiatua desired the house for his son-in-law -- for so he was kind enough to consider me.
Early in the morning my party and I set out for Vehiatua's house, carrying with us numerous gifts.
A throng of Vehiatua's subjects lined the path, and a band of strolling players caused constant laughter with their antics and songs.
Vehiatua was a widower, and his older sister, a thin, white-haired old lady, straight and active as a girl, acted for his clan.
The skulls of Vehiatua's ancestors were to be witnesses of the religious ceremony presently to take place.