MARAMA

[Polynesian] The moon goddess of the Maori of New Zealand. Her body is lost during certain times, but it always returns in its full splendor after bathing in the water of life. She was made by Io the Creator. In some myths, she is also connected to death and the underworld. She does not permit man to return to life after death, as the moon itself does. On other islands, such as the Hervey Islands Autu and Manui, Marama is the moon-god. He was in love with Ina, the goddess of light and daughter of the blind earth-god Kui. She married Marama and lives in the sky in daytime, when her husband is rarely visible.