Mafuike (Keeper of the Underworld Fire)
Wallisian Futunan · deity · Wallisian Futunan traditional religion; continuing · Recorded classification
Mafuike (Mafui'e) is the keeper of subterranean fire in West Polynesian myth; on Futuna and 'Uvea fire is obtained when the hero descends to Mafuike and takes it, the local form of the widespread Maui fire-theft.
Domains
- fire of the underworld
Powers
- to keep the fire of the underworld
Sources
- Mafuike is the underworld fire-keeper of 'Uvea and Futuna from whom fire is won by the culture-hero in the Maui-type myth.: Edwin G. Burrows, Ethnology of Futuna, Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 138 (Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1936). (secondary); Edwin G. Burrows, Ethnology of Uvea (Wallis Island), Bernice P. Bishop Museum Bulletin 145 (Honolulu: Bishop Museum, 1937). (secondary)