Kotharian Lightning

From Tongan Folklore

It is said that there was one a married couple, the name of the man being Matangi (Wind) and the name of the woman being Malu (Calm). In course of time Malu became pregnant and bore female twins, two albinos who had cannibal appetites.

The woman again became pregnant. After her delivery the two albinos appeared and took away the child and ate it, in spite of the sorrow of their parents for the child. The parents did not know what was to be done about the two albinos, for they were possessed by spirits (tevolo, devil).

Again the woman became pregnant and gave birth to a daughter. The couple cogitated on ways and means of preventing their child from being eaten by their albino daughters. As the result of their pondering they constructed an elevated place on which they built a house for the baby girl. They collected all the evil smelling things they could and put them in the house, in order to deceive the two demons into believing that the child was leprous. The couple hoped that this would deter them from eating the baby.

Shortly the two albinos appeared and inquired whether their mother had given birth or not. The parents replied: “A child has been born, but it is leprous.” The two demons asked where the child was, so that they could go and see for themselves. The parents directed them and they went to the place where the child was kept. As they approached the place the stench proclaimed itself from afar. The albinos exclaimed: “It is true about the leprosy, for the stench of the leprous one reaches us from here. Come, let us return to our own place.”

They went back to their home whilst the couple cared for and brought up the girl in her house. As she grew she became most amazingly beautiful. Her name was Ofahakakala (Love-of-Scented-Garlands).

A man named Sinilau heard about Ofahekakala, so he prepared to go and see her. He set out on the journey and when it became dark he slept. On the following day he awoke at dawn and resumed his journey. Again he was overtaken by darkness and again he slept. Next morning he went on and at last saw a house at a distance. Immediately he went straight towards it. But, behold, it was the house where the two albinos resided. These two called to him: “Come.’ Then Sinilau said: “I lived in my own land and my parents told me to go in search of a girl named Ofahekakala for my wife.” To this the two demons made reply: “We are the only ones here. There is nobody else.” Not satisfied with this answer, the youth asked: “Where are your parents that we may speak together?” The demons then urged him not to go to their parents’ house, as the place stank because there was an ulcerous leper there and her body was evil smelling. The youth said that he would pay no heed to that but would go and see for himself.

He therefore proceeded to the old couple’s house and they welcomed him, saying: “Welcome to here.” The youth replied: “Thanks, I have come on a mission. You have a daughter named Ofahekakala. The reason I have come is that I wish to wed her.” The girl’s parents made reply. “The trouble is that the woman is not worthy to mate with any chief, for she is something dreadful.” Nevertheless the youth said: “Direct me to her house. I would go there.” So the father went with the youth to the girl’s house. When they commenced to climb up the youth was blinded by the girl’s beauty, but he rushed forward and they greeted one another. Their marriage was arranged.

The youth departed and informed his land (people) of his approaching wedding. After the wedding the young man and the girl lived together. Presently the girl became pregnant and gave birth to a male child who was named Loau. He was the one who afterwards came from Haamea in Tongatabu and lived at Haaloau in Lifuka. It was he who undertook the voyage to the horizon and had with him the two attendants Longopoa and Kae. It was these two who swam and reached an island. Longopoa escaped, but Kae was killed through his evil ways.

Source:

Tongan Myths and Tales, Edward Winslow Gifford, 1924