Taufatahi and Fakapatu or Why Sharks Never Attack the Men of Moungaone

Posted by: Samiuela LV Taufa on July 05, 2007 4:56:09 PM

Mr. Cheyenne Morrison of Coldwell Banker Greater Australia forwarded the following story which he references from:

Tales of Sea and Shore
by Juliet Heslewood
ISBN: 0192781057
ISBN-13: 9780192781055
Oxford University Press. 1983

'Ana Fakapatú
On the southern tip of the island of Mo'unga'one is a cave named 'Ana 'o Fakapatú. Fakapatú means 'the pounding of the feet'.
Island legend tells of a giant (taula tevolo) named Fakapatú that lived in this cave, and it was customary for this giant to walk around the cave pounding his feet; hence, the cave's name.
On another nearby island called Tofua, there was another giant, Taufatahi. Taufatahi knew of Fakapatú and he was curious to see who would be the strongest of them two. One day, Taufatahi decided to challenge Fakapatú at his home island, Mo'unga'one.
Fakapatú, learning of his competitor's visit to his homeland, decided that he would morph himself around the mouth of his cave, opening his mouth so wide that his mouth became the entrance for the cave.
Upon Taufatahi's arrival, he was about to step into the cave but he quickly learned of Fakapatú's trick. Taufatahi then started to boast (as would any taula tevolo) about the many tricks that he could do. His boasting's went on for some time, changing from form to another, and forgetting to be cautious, as he was dealing with another taula tevolo who can perform many tricks. All of a sudden, there was no sign of Fakapatú.
Taufatahi suddenly felt an unbearable pain in his abdomen. His stomach grew bigger and bigger. He then realized that Fakapatú had outsmarted him. While he was busy teasing Fakapatú, morphing from one form to another, Fakapatú changed into a small balloon fish and flew into Taufatahi's mouth. Taufatahi could not bear the pain anymore that he promised Fakapatú he would surrender and grant him anything he deemed.
Fakapatú then made Taufatahi promise that the people of Mo'unga'one would not be harmed by sharks.
Tongan legend tellers attest that this is why residents of Mo'unga'one had never been harmed by sharks. To prove this legend, a man from Mo'unga'one named Manunga swam the channel from Mo'unga'one to Ofolanga unharmed, although presence of sharks were prevalent (kou tui pe na'e fiu e fanga 'anga he taimi ko 'eni...LOL). Manunga talked of how he spent four hours swimming with sharks around him.

You can off course try to source the book through Amazon or other retailers.

Mo'unga'one - is an island in the Ha'apai Group.

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Taufatahi and Fakapatu or Why Sharks Never Attack the Men of Moungaone