Reed Book of Maori Mythology

by A.W. Reed, Ross Calman (Editor)

The Reed Book of Maori Mythology is a new, updated and revised version of A.W. Reed's classic A Treasury of Maori Folklore (1963). These vivid and entertaining stories have been revised by Ross Calman, and can now be enjoyed by a new generation of readers. The book tells the stories of the creation of the universe, of Rangi and Papa and the children of earth and sky, of the demigods Maui and Tawhaki, of supernatural monsters and fairies, and of heroes and lovers. For centuries Maori were isolated from the rest of the Polynesian world - indeed, from the rest of the world - and subsequently developed a remarkably rich, and in many ways unique, mythology. Far from being just entertainment - and the stories are very entertaining - these stories are part of a living, breathing culture. They are part of our heritage, both Maori and Pakeha."

Genres: Mythology, Nonfiction

550 pages, Hardcover

First published December 31, 2004

Reviews

[Octavia Cade · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting collection of Maori mythology, updated and reissued from its original 1963 edition. It does suffer, however, from lack of accuracy - and in fairness, the introduction takes pains to point this out. Much of the collected material was drawn from earlier sources that were not always accurate in themselves, and so the editor suggests that, for serious scholarship, original sources be consulted. This is all the more necessary as some of the stories in this book are choices, or conglomerations, for there are often multiple versions of the same myth come from different iwi. Still, as a layperson's overview, this collection holds value.

I do wish, however, that the editor had chosen to use footnotes instead of endnotes. Those endnotes are many and detailed, and having to keep flipping to the back of the book (often up to several times a page) to get more understanding of the context or the translation became really irritating. If a reader has to use more than one bookmark to keep track of your argument you've over-complicated things, in my opinion.

[Philippa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reed Book of Maori Mythology
A.W. Reed, revised by Ross Calman
(Reed Books, 2004, $49.95)

Reviewed by Philippa Jamieson

A.W. Reed's classic Treasury of Maori Folklore (1963) makes a welcome return, revised and updated by Ross Calman as the Reed Book of Māori Mythology. It's a cornucopia of magic and delight, and probably the most comprehensive book on the subject. In more than 500 pages it covers creation stories, the pantheon of deities, supernatural beings, legends of the natural world and more. There is everything from the familiar Māui stories and the legend of Hinemoa and Tūtānekai, to lesser-known (or more locally known) taniwha.
Calman, co-author of three Māori dictionaries, has gone through the book with a fine-tooth comb. Where possible, he has included Māori language versions of chants and karakia. He has deleted references to discredited theories like the Great Fleet and the supreme being Io. The legends are now distinguished from the commentary by different typefaces.
Reed drew together tribal variants of myths to create a 'satisfying composite picture', which resulted in some hybrid myths that belong to no particular tribe, but have taken on a life of their own. Calman has made a good attempt to iron these out, and provides notes about the tribal origins of the myths.

Philippa Jamieson is a Dunedin freelance writer.