atuas

Atuas is a term used in several Polynesian languages to denote gods or spirits. The word refers to a wide range of divine beings who govern natural forces, places, or aspects of life. In English-language writing, the plural form "atuas" is often used when discussing multiple deities from these traditions, while "atua" designates a single deity.

In Māori tradition, atua are central figures in cosmology and myth. They include diverse beings such as Rangi (the Sky Father) and Papa (the Earth Mother), as well as other atua who preside over forests, the sea, and human endeavors. Similar concepts exist across other Polynesian cultures, including Samoan and Tahitian belief systems, though local names, roles, and stories vary by culture.

The concept of atua often encompasses both personified natural forces and ancestral or local tutelary spirits. Myths recount interactions among atua and humans, and rituals or place-based worship frequently center on these beings. Across regions, atua serve as explanations for natural phenomena, moral models, and anchors for community identity and heritage.

In modern scholarship and popular culture, atua are discussed as a key element of Polynesian religious and cultural traditions. The term appears in academic writings, educational materials, and literary works that explore myth, religion, and Pacific history. For readers, atua provides a lens to understand how Pacific peoples interpret the world through divine beings connected to land, sea, and lineage.