In Hawaiian mythology, an aumakua (, in English; often spelled aumakua or 'aumakua) was a family god, often a deified ancestor. The plural of ?aumakua is n? ?aum?kua (, nä?ou-mä?ko?o-ä), although in English the plural is usually aumakuas. N? aum?kua frequently manifested as animals such as sharks or owls. N? aum?kua were worshipped at localities (often rocks) where they were believed to "dwell". The appearance of an animal one regarded as an aumakua was often believed to be an omen (of good or ill). There are also many stories of n? aum?kua (in animal form) intervening to save their descendants from harm. It was extremely bad luck to harm a manifested aumakua.

Some families had many aum?kua. Mary Kawena Pukui's family had at least fifty known aum?kua.^[1]

Manifestations

Traditionally, the hawk (io) is regarded as the special aum?kua for the alii (nobility). Consequently, to see a hawk flying overhead was considered a good omen for nobles, and harming one was very bad luck.

N? aum?kua were thus animals, places or rocks, and people. Ancient Hawaiians would have seen no contradiction in a powerful spirit being able to appear as all three, switching from form to form as convenient -- as is indeed seen in many stories of gods and demi-gods.

A symbiotic relationship exists between person and aum?kua, the personal guardians of each individual and their family and the ancient source gods from whom Hawaiians were descended.

Aum?kua can manifest in nature. The form varies family to family. Whatever its form, the aum?kua is one specific shark, owl, etc. However, all members of the species are treated with respect of family members.

If family aum?kua, these manifestations were not harmed or eaten; in turn, aum?kua warned and reprimanded in dreams, visions, and calls.

"Aum?kua are intimate members of the human family, spiritual relationships with them are especially close and their presence is sought for feast and festivity, as well as in time of crisis. They act as healers and advisors, counteracting troubles and punishing faults." -J. Gutmanis

Aum?kua could appear as:

• honu, (Turtle
• pueo, owl (as at Manoa, Oahu, Kau and Puna)
• man?, shark (all islands except Kauai)
• io, hawk (at Hawaii Island)
• elepaio, flycatcher (also the goddess of canoe makers)
• iiwi/iwi, scarlet honeycreeper (whose feathers were used extensively in featherwork)
• ?alae ?ula^[2], mudhen (whose cry was considered a bad omen)
• hee, octopus
• puhi, eel
• iole li?ili?i, mouse
• iole, rat
• ?lio, dog
• moo, lizard, or dragon ^[3]
• peelua/enuhe/nuhe/anuhe/poko, caterpillar
• p?haku, rock
• leho, cowry
• ao, cloud
• mea kanu, plant

References