The legend of the pierced mountain of Moorea

Well settled for an aperitif at the Le Moana bar, on Tu Marama promenade, I will transform myself into a modern-day storyteller and immerse you in the fabulous legend of the Pierced Mountain of Moorea.

The legend of Moorea's pierced mountain, known as Mou'a Puta, is a fascinating story that blends myth and nature. According to legend, Moorea's sacred mountain, Mou'a Tapu, was pierced by the spear of the legendary hero Pai.

Here is the story :

One night, Hiro, the god of thieves, and his band from Raiatea arrived on Moorea to steal Mount Rotui, which is said to dispatch souls. They tied long vines to the top of the mountain and began to pull it, almost succeeding in detaching this portion of the island. However, Pai, who was at Punaauia on Tahiti, was awakened by his adoptive parents who had seen this scene in a dream. They told him to take his spear Ru-fau-tumu and throw it at Moorea.

Pai complied and, after climbing Tataa Hill, threw his spear, which crossed the sea and pierced a large hole in the mountaintop, creating the Mou'a Puta. The spear continued on its way and landed in the south of Raiatea, embedding itself in the top of a hill that has remained indented ever since.

The roosters of Moorea, awakened by the vibrations of the spear, began to crow, which prompted the thieves to flee, fearing daybreak. Despite their escape, Hiro and his gang managed to tear out a cone-shaped hill which they took to Raiatea, where it still stands, covered with small toa trees.

This legend illustrates not only the origin of the characteristic hole in the pierced mountain but also the importance of traditional stories in Polynesian culture, where nature and the supernatural often meet to explain the wonders of the environment.

I love these legends and I won't resist telling you some of them from time to time. So, as we often say, see you next time 😉