Polynesian Mythology · Chapter
The Story of Hinemoa explained
Hinemoa, a high-born maiden of Rotorua, falls in love with Tūtānekai, an illegitimate son of Whakaue.
What happens
Hinemoa, a high-born maiden of Rotorua, falls in love with Tūtānekai, an illegitimate son of Whakaue. Despite her family's attempts to keep them apart, Hinemoa swims across Lake Rotorua guided by the sound of Tūtānekai's trumpet. She warms herself in a hot spring, breaks a calabash to get his attention, and is discovered by him. They marry, and Tūtānekai later arranges for his sister Tupa to marry his friend Tiki.
Themes in this chapter
Heroism and Nobility
Hinemoa's daring swim across the lake demonstrates personal courage and determination in pursuit of love.
Social Structure and Equality
The story highlights class distinctions, as Tūtānekai is considered lowborn by his brothers, yet his love for the high-born Hinemoa transcends social barriers.
Characters to notice
- Hinemoa
The beautiful and high-born maiden who swims across Lake Rotorua to be with Tūtānekai.
- Tūtānekai
The illegitimate son of Whakaue who wins Hinemoa's love and plays the trumpet to guide her.
- Whakaue
Reputed father of Tūtānekai, who treats him kindly and later consents to giving his daughter Tupa to Tiki.
- Tiki
Close friend of Tūtānekai, who plays the flute and eventually marries Tupa.
Key passages
“I have pressed the hand of Hinemoa, and she pressed mine in return”
Tūtānekai claimed that Hinemoa had reciprocated his affection by squeezing his hand.
This moment reveals the secret mutual love between Hinemoa and Tūtānekai.
“A trumpet will be heard sounding every night; it will be I who sound it, beloved—paddle then your canoe to that place.”
Tūtānekai told Hinemoa to listen for his trumpet at night as a signal to come to him.
This establishes the plan for Hinemoa to escape to Tūtānekai.
“She took six large dry empty gourds, as floats, lest she should sink in the water”
Hinemoa used six dry gourds as flotation devices to help her swim across the lake.
This shows her resourcefulness in overcoming the lack of a canoe.
“Give it here, then, said Hinemoa. And he gave her the water, and she drank, and having finished drinking, she purposely threw down the calabash, and broke it.”
Hinemoa asked for the water, drank it, and then deliberately broke the calabash to get Tūtānekai's attention.
This clever act leads to Tūtānekai discovering her presence.