Polynesian Mythology Dog Names

Irawaru is, without question, one of the most prominent dogs in all of Polynesian Mythology. And considering the aforementioned widespread love of dogs and their importance to Polynesian culture, that's really saying something! But this claim doesn't come without any context to support it; in this guide, you'll learn the names and backstories of a number of doggie deities and the like, but Irawaru is chief among for one reason, and one reason only - in Polynesian cultures, Irawaru is considered to be the great ancestor of all canines. According to Polynesian culture, it's because of Irawaru that dogs are able to follow orders, unique and distinct develop personalities, and eat many of the same foods that humans eat. But Irawaru's story isn't all sunshine and rainbows. In fact, by most accounts, Irawaru's similarities to men are the result not of a blessing, but of a curse. 

Some background information is needed to full understand the gravity of Irawaru's plight. First and foremost, Irawaru wasn't born a dog; just as we had mentioned earlier, Irawaru was initially a man and Maui's brother in law by way of his marriage to Maui's sister, Hina. We also mentioned that Irawaru was turned into a dog against his will. However, what we neglected to mention earlier is just exactly who transformed Irawaru in the first place or why, for that matter. The answers to those questions are quite chilling indeed; it was non other than the demigod Maui himself who transmogrified his own brother in law and though the exact reason why Maui did such a thing isn't entirely clear, what is certain is the fact that the Polynesian hero didn't commit the heinous act for any discernible altruistic reasons. 

Some legends state that Maui transformed Irawaru into the first dog because the latter had offended the former; in this light, Irawaru's transformation can be seen as a caution to those individuals who lacked respect for the gods, blaspheming against them on a casual basis and committing sacrilegious acts without a second thought. Another account of this ancient tale suggests that Irawaru was transformed after Maui learned of his brother in law's malicious intentions towards his sister; from this perspective of the legend, Irawaru's affliction can be seen as a means of suggesting that nothing good will come to those who scheme and plot heinous crimes against others. No matter the reason, Maui goes on to take pity on Irawaru and helps him come into his own as a dog, Irawaru then goes on to sire a number of children, placing him as the progenitor of all Polynesian dogs.