| Haumea | |
|---|---|
Goddess of fertility and childbirth | |
| Gender | Female |
| Region | Hawaii |
| Ethnic group | Hawaiians |
| Consort | Mulinaha, Kanaloa |
| Offspring | Pele,Kāne Milohai,Kāmohoaliʻi,Nāmaka,Kapo,Hiʻiaka, Laumiha, Kahaʻula, Kahakauakoko, and Kauakahi |
Haumea (Hawaiian:[həuˈmɛjə]) is the goddess of fertility and childbirth inHawaiian mythology. She is the mother of many important deities, such asPele,Kāne Milohai,Kāmohoaliʻi,Nāmaka,Kapo, andHiʻiaka. She was killed byKaulu. Haumea is one of the most important Hawaiian gods, and her worship is among the oldest on the Hawaiian islands.[1]
With the help of a magic stick called the Mākālei, Haumea repeatedly transforms herself from an old woman to a young girl, and returns to her homeland periodically to marry one of her offspring, thus giving birth to continuous generations of humans.[1] Eventually, her identity is found out by Kio, which angers her, causing her to leave humanity behind.[1]
Haumea is said to have given humans the ability to give birth naturally. In a story, she visited Muleiula, the daughter of a chieftain who was experiencing painful childbirth, during which she discovered that humans only gave birth by cutting open the mother. Seeing this, Haumea created a potion out of the Kani-ka-wī tree (Spondias dulcis), which allowed the mother to push out the baby naturally.[1]
Haumea is the sister of the godsKāne andKanaloa, and sometimes also the wife of Kanaloa.[1] Some traditions identify Haumea withPapahānaumoku, the goddess of the Earth, and wife of the sky godWākea.[1]
WithKanaloa, Haumea gave birth to the war godKekaua-kahi, the volcano goddessPele, as well as Pele's brothers and sisters, includingHi'iaka.[1] Except for Pele, who was born the normal way, her children were born from various parts of her body. From her head, for example, were born Laumiha, Kahaʻula, Kahakauakoko, and Kauakahi.
According to theKumulipo, a Hawaiian creation chant, Haumea's offspring are:[2]
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On September 17, 2008, theInternational Astronomical Union named the fifth knowndwarf planet in theSolar SystemHaumea. The planet's two moons were named after Haumea's daughters:Hiʻiaka, the goddess born from the mouth of Haumea, andNamaka, the water spirit born from Haumea's body.[3]
