MYTHOLOGY. 
321 
CHAP. XIII. 
General view of Polynesian mythology—Ideas relative to 
the origin of the world—Polytheism — Traditionary 
theogony—Taaroa supreme deity—Different orders of 
gods—Oro, Hiro, &c. gods of the wind—Power of 
spirits to raise tempests—Gods of the ocean, &c.— 
Supposed cause of an eclipse.—Gods of artificers and 
fishermen—Oramatuas, or demons—Emblems—Images 
—Uru, or feathers—Temples—Worship—Prayers—The 
awakening of the gods—Offerings—Sacrifices—Occa¬ 
sional and stated festivals and worship—Rau-mata- 
vehi-raa. Maui-fata—Rites for recovery from sickness— 
Offering of first-fruits-—The pae atua—The ripening of 
the year, a religious ceremony—Singular rites attending 
its close. 
Whatever attention the Tahitians paid to their 
occupations or amusements, and whatever energies 
have been devoted to the prosecution of their bar¬ 
barous wars, the claims of all were regarded as 
inferior to those of their religion. On this every 
other pursuit was dependent, while each was alike 
made subservient to its support. In an account 
of the former state of the people, their system 
of religion requires therefore particular notice. 
Like that of all the ancient idolatrous nations, 
the mythology of the South Sea Islanders is but 
an assemblage of obscure fables brought by the 
first settlers, or originated in remarkable facts of 
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