Legends of Polynesia

The peoples of Tonga believe that the beautiful island archipelago of Tonga was pulled up from the bottom of the blue Pacific Ocean by the fisherman God named Maui. He named the very first island which one he fished out from the bottom of the sea Tongatapu (sacred land -Tongatapu is today's government centre for the Kingdom of Tonga.). So Maui pulled out all the islands after each other from the sea like the Ha'apai group and than all those of Vava'u.

On one of this islands on the warm black lava rocks grew a tall vine plant. (fue) But after some time the plant died. Suddenly a worm crawled out from this dead plant. A gorgeous shore bird with round head, straight bill, and large pointed wings, called kiu saw the worm winding its long slender body on the black lava rocks high from the air. The kiu flew down and pecked the worm with his strong beak until the worm was cut in three parts. The legends tell that from these three parts of the worm were created the first three men of Tonga.

Told by Ana from Tonga.