Tree Goddess

Vegetation/tree goddess and deified ancestor; the Gilbertese instance of the 'staple plants from a slain/buried body' motif. vitalStatus 'deceased' as the myth turns on her death and transformation. RECIPROCAL within batch with Auriaria (spouse + sibling). The three trees are entered as materialCulture of kind 'plant' (the staple trees that are her body).

Domains

• trees and vegetation
• fertility and renewal
• lightning

Powers

• becomes the coconut, almond and pandanus at her death
• has eyes that flash like lightning

Relations

• spouse: Red Giant Ancestor
• sibling: Red Giant Ancestor

Sources

• Grimble, Rosemary. Migrations, Myth and Magic from the Gilbert Islands: Early Writings of Sir Arthur Grimble (1972)
• Grimble, Arthur. Tungaru Traditions: Writings on the Atoll Culture of the Gilbert Islands (ed. H.E. Maude, 1989)