Cook Islands mythology

[1] The Cook Islands myths and legends have similarities to general Polynesian mythology, which developed over the centuries into its own unique character.

At the very bottom of this coconut is a thick stem tapering to a point, which represents the beginning of all things.

This point is the dwelling of a spirit without human form called Te aka ia Roe (The root of all existence).

The thickest part of the stem is Te manava roa (The long lived) the third and last of the primary, ever-stationary, sentient spirits, who together form the foundation, permanence, and well-being of the rest of the universe.

One day she plucked off part of her right side, like a fruit from a tree, and it became the first human being, the first man Avatea (or Vatea).