Pele Kapa

Materials: Kapa / Tapa cloth and gold leaf

Dimensions: 9” x 2 ¾” x 10”

Technique: Cartapesta

22 hrs

The goddess of volcanoes and fire and the creator of the Hawaiian Islands. Epithets of the goddess include Pele-honua-mea ("Pele of the sacred land") and Ka wahine ʻai honua ("The earth-eating woman").

In different stories talking about the goddess Pele, she was born from the female spirit named Haumea. This spirit is important when talking about Hawaii's gods as she descended from Papa, or Earth Mother, and Wakea, Sky Father, both descendants of the supreme beings.

Kīlauea is one of the Earth's most active volcanoes, and is located on the island of Hawaiʻi. Many Hawaiians believe Kilauea to be inhabited by a "family of fire gods," one of the sisters being Pele who is believed to govern Kilauea and is responsible for controlling its lava flows. There are several traditional legends associated with Pele in Hawaiian mythology. In addition to being recognized as the goddess of volcanoes, Pele is also known for her power, passion, jealousy, and capriciousness. Pele's siblings include deities of various types of wind, rain, fire, ocean wave forms, and cloud forms. Halemaʻumaʻu crater at the summit caldera of Kīlauea is believed to be her home, but her domain encompasses all volcanic activity on the Big Island of Hawaiʻi.

 

Legend told that Pele herself journeyed on her canoe from the island of Tahiti to Hawaii. When on her journey, it was said she tried to create her fires on different islands, but her sister, Nāmaka, was chasing her, wanting to put an end to her. In the end, the two sisters fought each other and Pele was killed. With this happening, her body was destroyed but her spirit lives on in Halemaʻumaʻu. They say, "Her body is the lava and steam that comes from the volcano. She can also change form, appearing as a white dog, old woman, or beautiful young woman.” In addition to her role as goddess of fire and her strong association with volcanoes, Pele is also regarded as the "goddess of the hula." She is a significant figure in the history of hula because of her sister Hiʻiaka, is believed to be the first hula dancer. As a result of Pele's significance in hula, there have been many hula dances and chants dedicated to her and her family. With hula being dedicated to Pele, the dance is often performed in a way that represents her intense personality and the movement of volcanoes.