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Oceanic Mythologies: Australian Aborigine and Polynesian

Maui, the Hero and Trickster

Who was Maui?

Maui was a trickster, and like the tricksters of Australian Aborigine mythology, he also played the role of culture hero and can best be considered in that context as a demi-god rather than as a god.

Both a hero and a trickster, Maui mischievously snares the Sun in this illustration by Arman Manookian, circa 1927.

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