Lagi-atea

Lagi-atea is named in the canonical lists of the tupua, the principal gods of Niue, alongside Fao, Huanaki and Fakahoko. The first element of the name is the common Polynesian and Niuean word lagi, 'sky, heaven.' In the Pulekula tradition Lagi-atea is one of the band of tupua who left the lost land of Fonuagalo because they were slighted at its ceremonies and came to settle on Niue once Fao and Huanaki had raised the island. Like Fakahoko, Lagi-atea is one of the supporting tupua rather than one of the two active island-makers, but is consistently counted among the founding gods.

Domains

• sky
• island settlement

Powers

• to settle on the made island as one of the founding gods

Epithets

• tupuaEdwin M. Loeb, History and Traditions of Niue, Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 32 (Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1926). (secondary)

Relations

• companion: FaoLagi-atea travelled with Fao in the band of tupua that came from Fonuagalo.Edwin M. Loeb, History and Traditions of Niue, Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 32 (Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1926). (secondary)
• companion: HuanakiLagi-atea settled the island together with Huanaki and the other tupua.Edwin M. Loeb, History and Traditions of Niue, Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 32 (Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1926). (secondary)
• companion: FakahokoLagi-atea and Fakahoko are named together among the lesser tupua who followed the two island-creators.Edwin M. Loeb, History and Traditions of Niue, Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 32 (Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1926). (secondary)

Sources

• Lagi-atea is one of the principal tupua of Niue, a sky-named god who belonged to the company that came from the lost land of Fonuagalo and settled the island after its creation by Fao and Huanaki.: Edwin M. Loeb, History and Traditions of Niue, Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 32 (Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1926). (secondary); Pulekula, 'Traditions of the Niue-Fekai,' trans. S. Percy Smith, Journal of the Polynesian Society 12, no. 1 (1903): 22–31. (secondary)