# The Legend of Rātā explained — Polynesian Mythology

> Chapter companion for Polynesian Mythology by George Grey.

## What happens

Rātā, son of Wahieroa, avenges his father's murder by slaying Matuku-takotako, then seeks his father's bones. After felling a sacred tree, the offspring of Tāne restore it and eventually build him a canoe. Rātā uses the canoe to attack the Ponaturi, retrieves his father's bones, and learns a powerful incantation. He later fathers Tūwhakararo, whose son Whakatau is born from an apron thrown into the sea.

## Themes in this chapter

### Heroism and Nobility

Rātā's quest to avenge his father and recover his bones exemplifies heroic duty.

### Conflict and Reconciliation

Rātā's conflict with the offspring of Tāne is resolved through cooperation and the building of the canoe.

### Mythology and Religious Belief

The incantation Titikura and the involvement of gods and spirits highlight the intertwining of magic and religion.

## Character check-ins

### Rātā

Protagonist who avenges his father's death and recovers his bones.

### Wahieroa

Rātā's father, slain by Matuku-takotako.

### Matuku-takotako

The enemy who killed Wahieroa and is slain by Rātā.

### Ponaturi

Enemy tribe that held Wahieroa's bones; defeated by Rātā.

### Tūwhakararo

Son of Rātā and Tongarautāwhiri.

### Whakatau

Son of Tūwhakararo and Apakura, born from an apron thrown into the sea.

## Key lines

> Rātā listened attentively to this incantation until he learnt it by heart, and when he was quite sure that he knew it, he rushed suddenly upon the priests; they, surprised and ignorant of the numbers of their enemy, or whence they came, made little resistance, and were in a moment smitten and slain.

Rātā memorized the powerful incantation Titikura, then attacked and killed the unsuspecting priests.

_Rātā's cunning and use of magical knowledge to defeat his enemies._

> At this moment Rātā bethought him of the spell he had learnt from the priests, and, immediately repeating the potent incantation Titikura, his slain warriors were by its power once more restored to life; then they rushed again to the combat, and the Ponaturi were slaughtered by Rātā and his tribe, a thousand of them—the whole thousand were slain.

Rātā revived his fallen warriors with the incantation Titikura, leading to the complete defeat of the Ponaturi.

_The incantation's power to restore life and turn the tide of battle._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters/the-legend-of-r-t
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/polynesian_mythology_se/chapters