Kawariki and the Shark Man by Holly R

Kawariki and the Shark Man

1.Wiremu Grace has retold the myth/legend of Kawariki and the Shark Man

2.Kawariki-a woman to be married to someone she doesn’t love, snuck out to see the person she truly loves.She shares a secret relationship with Tutiri,when her father finds out about two he takes away Tutiri’s humanity and she is left filled with pity.

Tutiri-a man who has feeling for a woman-Kawariki-is banished to the ocean by her father Matakite in shark form.When Kawariki’s betrothed and his tribe arrives Hinemoana overturns the boat but instead of avenging himself Tutiri helps the tribe to shore-this shows Tutiri is kind and forgiving.

Matakite-is a protective father of his daughter Kawariki.When he finds the couple on the beach he is angry at Tutiri for breaking the rule and talking to Kawariki,he banishes Tutiri to the ocean.When Tutiri saves the tribe he sees what he has done and reverses the spell so Tutiri can marry his daughter.

Hinemoana [Goddess of the sea]-Feels pity for Tutiri and heals him enough so he can see Kawariki every month.She sees Matakite[one of her descendents] at the welcoming and is angry at him for what he had done to Tutiri,to avenge Tutiri she overturns the boats.

3.By the shore-Usually night time,clear sky full of stars,washing of the waves,bushes,quiet,in the hills.

4.The myth/legend was trying to explain what happened between Tutiri and Karawiki-How they fell in love and with their strong will,worked their way around Matakite finding out about them meeting up in secret.Also how Kawariki and Tutiri married and continued to have an unbreakable bond.

5.In the beginning Tutiri worked for the tribe alongside the slaves.The years passed and Tutiri grew into a young man.He had a special friend called Kawariki,later she was betrothed to a man from a neighbouring tribe.Tutiri and Kawariki are forbidden from seeing each other.Kawariki wanted to still see Tutiri,they would send each other messages and occasionally met in secret.In the middle Matakite[Kawariki’s father]finds out about them meeting in secret and banishes Tutiri to the ocean as a shark.Hinemoana sees what happens and fills Kawariki’s tears with healing powers. When the neighbouring tribe arrives for the wedding Hinemoana takes vengeance against Matakite,she overturns the boats with powerful waves.In the end Tutiri sees what happens and saves the tribe, Matakite sees the action and and decides Tutiri should be able to marry Kawariki.The tribes celebrate this marriage.

8.The illustration is of Kawariki and Tutiri as he is in shark form it adds to the story by showing how Kawariki still cared about Tutiri in the same way.

10.Tutiri was born into a family that lived near the coast.He had many jobs and worked alongside slaves which made the job easier. Tutiri envied his friends when they were being instructed as future leaders and he was kept to the gardens. Tutiri was now a young man,he had a special friend called Karawiki- she was the daughter of a very powerful chief called Matakite. She was to be a future leader.One day Matakite announced Karawiki was betrothed to a man from a neighboring tribe. Karawiki and Tutiri were then forbidden to see each other. Still the strong willed couple wanted to see each other they sent secret messages and occasionally meet in secret,this happened because Karawiki didn’t want to stay with a man she didn’t love.

Matakite was suspicious of Kawariki and decided to follow her that night,when he found the two meeting in secret he cast a vicious spell on Tutiri that turned him into a shark. Kawariki dragged Tutiri out of the bush and into the water where his lifeless began moving,Hinemoana saw what happened and filled Kawariki’s tears with magic. Kawariki’s soon to be husband and his tribe were arriving on boats Matakite prayed for a safe crossing along with the rest of the tribe, Hinemoana remembered what happened to Tutiri and wanted vengeance for what Matakite did to him,the seas grew rough and the motion overturned the boats. Tutiri saw what happened but didn’t want revenge instead he save the tribe and brought them back to shore. Matakite saw this action and decided Kawariki should marry Tutiri. The tribes had a celebration together, in the following years Kawariki and Tutiri became trusted leaders. They had many offspring, born with the distinctive red moko of a shark.