Muato’a, Also Called Anapou

Overview

Niua’s account identifies Anapou as a giant or strong man who later becomes mua and is called Muato’a. Living in Noa’tau, he pulls a large vine for a canoe rope with such force that the tree’s branches come away. Part of the vine is used as a wall-plate in a house at Maftoa.

People seeking to injure him give him enough kava to make him drunk. When sick, he braces himself between the hulls of a double canoe and shakes the whole vessel, frightening them. The record names his mother Usarau of Oinafa and father Tipurotu of Juju. His social title and family context accompany the prodigious strength; the short episode supplies neither a separate monstrous anatomy nor an eventual death.

Origins & earliest records

The Rotuma archive presents MacGregor’s 1932 notes with named consultants. Its editors explain orthographic standardization and clarification; originals are deposited at Bishop Museum.

Records & interpretation

Muato’a: consultant Niua.

Selected bibliography

Documented works and useful reading. This is not a list of every appearance.

1. 01

   MacGregor’s Rotuma Notes: Muato’a, Also Called Anapou

   Gordon MacGregor, recorder; consultant identified in the record · 1932 fieldwork

   Muato’a: consultant Niua.

Family, evolution & connections

Muato’a’s stated parents

Niua’s account.

Explicit parentage. No other relatives supplied.

References

Sources supporting this profile. Linked pages have their own scope and editorial standards.

1. Edited primary field-note transcriptionRotuma archive: Muato’a, Also Called AnapouResearch access: 2026-10-05
2. Custodial and editorial contextMacGregor collection editorial explanationResearch access: 2026-10-05

Image credits

A sourced illustration has not yet been added. This gap is included in the coverage record.