Iolofath
Central Carolinian · demigod · Central Carolinian traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Iolofath is the great trickster of the Central Carolines, the half-divine son of the sky god Lugeilang by a mortal woman, and the figure around whom the largest share of Ulithian and Woleaian tales revolves. Cunning, amoral and irrepressible, he moves freely between earth and the heavens, changes his shape, outwits gods and men, suffers dismemberment and revives, and in several narratives secures benefits such as fire for humankind. He is one and the same as the Chuukese Olofat and the Wolfat of neighbouring islands, making him the most widely attested mythic personality of the whole region.
Parentage
- parent: LugeilangLessa, W. A. (1961), Tales from Ulithi Atoll, University of California Press. (secondary)
Domains
- trickery
- fire
Powers
- changes his shape and deceives gods and men
- carries fire to mankind
Relations
- parent: LugeilangLessa, W. A. (1961), Tales from Ulithi Atoll, University of California Press. (secondary)
Sources
- Iolofath is a half-divine trickster and culture-hero, son of the sky god Lugeilang by a mortal woman, and the dominant figure of Central Carolinian narrative.: Lessa, W. A. (1961), Tales from Ulithi Atoll, University of California Publications in Folklore Studies 13, Berkeley. (secondary)
- The same trickster is attested across Micronesia under the names Olofat and Wolfat, sharing the deceiving, amoral, benefit-bringing character.: Burrows, E. G. & Spiro, M. E. (1953), An Atoll Culture, HRAF; and Chuukese tradition of Olofat. (secondary)