Papatuanuku (Papa)
The primordial earth mother in Maori cosmology. Papatuanuku lay embraced with Ranginui (Sky Father) in the beginning, their children trapped between them. After their forced separation, she became the foundation of all life on earth. Her body formed the land, mountains, forests, and waters. All living things are her children. She is the nurturing source of food, shelter, and life itself. The earthquakes are her struggles to turn toward her beloved Rangi, and the mist that rises is her breath. In Maori tradition, humans return to her embrace at death