A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.
Overview
When Vai-Matagi and Vai-Fualolo journey among other islands, Pulekula’s account brings them to Tutuila, whose chief is Moa. He never raises his eyes: trees would die if he looked at them, and the same danger extends to creeping animals and people. Keeping his gaze on the ground protects the land and what grows upon it. The name is not accompanied by a bird body or a giant-animal description.
Moa receives the travellers, asks about their home and food, and provides a rich feast. He then gives each a coconut and tells them to plant and tend the gifts on their island. The account connects these gifts with two coconut varieties and with the visitors’ naming of Niue. His threatening power therefore coexists with hospitality and agricultural provision; no attack or death caused by his eyes actually occurs in this encounter.
Origins & earliest records
Pulekula, a teacher at Tama-ha-le-leka, Liku, wrote these traditions in October 1901. The Journal of the Polynesian Society printed Niuean text alongside S. Percy Smith’s translation in 1903. Smith’s introductory note acknowledges that he could not fully question obscure passages and sometimes failed to grasp the writers’ meaning.
Records & interpretation
Complete English narrative and original printed pages visually checked: 86; continuation on 88 completes the coconut-gift account.
Selected bibliography
Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.
- 01
The Traditions of Niue-Fekai: “Vai-Matagi and Vai-Fualolo,” paragraphs 27–37, printed pp. 86–89
Complete English narrative and original printed pages visually checked: 86; continuation on 88 completes the coconut-gift account. The accessible scan is the Johnson Reprint Corporation 1967 reprint of the 1903 journal volume.
- 02
The Traditions of Niue-Fekai: Vai-Matagi and Vai-Fualolo: Moa of Tutuila
Pulekula, teacher at Tama-ha-le-leka, Liku, written October1901; English translation by S.PercySmith in Journal of the Polynesian Society12 (1903). Selected scan visibly preserves the1903 Wellington title and a Johnson first-reprinting1967 notice. It is a1967 reprint scan, not a newly inspected original1903 physical copy. Smith’s pre-appendix note acknowledges limited opportunities for clarification and occasional failure to grasp the writers’ meaning.
Family & connections
A source-supported family tree or inspiration record has not yet been compiled for this profile. Related reading below indicates a connection in subject matter, not a proven lineage or creative influence.
Located primary passages
Specific passages supporting details in this entry, grouped by their published witness.
The Traditions of Niue-Fekai: “Vai-Matagi and Vai-Fualolo,” paragraphs 27–37, printed pp. 86–89
Pulekula, teacher at Tama-ha-le-leka, Liku, written October1901; English translation by S.PercySmith in Journal of the Polynesian Society12 (1903). Selected scan visibly preserves the1903 Wellington title and a Johnson first-reprinting1967 notice. It is a1967 reprint scan, not a newly inspected original1903 physical copy. Smith’s pre-appendix note acknowledges limited opportunities for clarification and occasional failure to grasp the writers’ meaning.
- Travelling Vai-Matagi and Vai-Fualolo reach Tutuila, ruled by Moa. He keeps his eyes lowered because looking at trees, crawling animals or people would destroy them. He nevertheless receives the pair hospitably, inquires about their home and feeds them coconut-rich food. He gives each a different coconut for planting and tending at home. Subsequent paragraphs describe the two varieties and the visitors’ association with springs and an island name.
Smith’s historical translation is used with its stated uncertainties. Selected pages were read completely; no claim that all Niuean text was translated independently or the entire journal was read. Public availability of the1967 facsimile is not treated as a universal reuse licence.
References
Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.
- Primary written narrative with historical translationJournal of the Polynesian Society, volume 12 (1903): digitized journal (1903 journal; 1967 reprint scan)Research access: 2026-10-05
Image credits
A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.