Welcome to the 2022 A to Z Blogging Challenge! My theme this year is Gemstone Folklore. Because I love stories about shiny things. Read the introduction to the project here.
BOWENITE
Bowenite is a hard, green semi-precious stone that plays an important role in the Maori culture of New Zealand (better known by the indigenous name pounamu, greenstone, see P later this month). It has a clear, translucent form called tangiwai, found in New Zealand in the area of Piopiotahi (Milford Sound).
The Tears That Turned to Stone
New Zealand
In Maori legends, greenstone has a deity, Ngahue, who commanded a taniwha (large water creature) named Poutini in guarding the precious greenstones. His adversary was Hinehoaka, goddess off sandstone, and her own taniwha, Whatipu (because sandstone is used to chisel greenstone). Once, during their struggles, Poutini had to flee. Stopping at Tuhua (Mayor Island) to rest, Poutini came across a beautiful woman named Waitaiki, felt lust for her, and kidnapped her, taking her along on his journey.
The woman's husband, Tamaahua, managed to track his stolen wife with the help of a magic dart. A long pursuit ensued, making various stops going south along the west coast of the islands, until Tamaahua almost caught up to the water creature dragging his wife along. Finally, stopping at the Arahura River, Poutini used his powers to turn the beautiful Waitaiki into greenstone. Tamaahua arrived too late. All he could do was weep over his petrified wife. His tears seeped into the stone, and created a clear form of bowenite, with tear-shaped marks, known as tangiwai - "tear water." In other versions, Waitaiki's own tears turned into stone as she wept for her husband.
The fascinating part: this legend is a complete, detailed "spoken map" of the coast of the New Zealand and its mineral resources.
Sources:
Read the detailed story in this book. An early mention of the legend can be found in this book. You can also find information here and here.
Have you ever been to New Zealand?
Were you aware of the importance of green stones in Maori culture?
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