New Zealand mythical Monsters [Monsters]

New Zealand mythical Monsters

SophieAndersonTaketheFairFaceofWomanFairyPaintingWhy have we in these isles no fairy dell,

No haunted wood, nor wild enchanted mere?

asked Alexander Bathgate, a nineteenth century Scottish immigrant to New Zealand, in his poem Faerie.

Our woods are dark, our lakelets’ waters clear,

he goes on,

As those of any land where fairies dwell.

In every verdant vale our streamlets tell

Their simple story to the list’ning ear,

Our craggy mountains steep are full of fear –

BridalVeilFalls05Even rugged men have felt their awful spell.

Yet lack they glamour of the fairy tale,

Nor gnome nor goblin do they e’er recall,

Though Nature speaks, e’en in the wind’s sad wail

Who shall give meaning to Her voices all?

The poet’s art, – as yet without avail, –

Must weave the story of both great and small.*

I must admit, as a fellow British immigrant to New Zealand obsessed with myth and fantasy, I sometimes feel like this. I long for the magical creatures of Europe – from the Fair Folk of the forests to the nymphs of the pools – to become interwoven with the beautiful landscape of New Zealand.maoriwoodcarving Peter Jackson’s films went some way towards appeasing this desire, but they’re no substitute for a rich folklore that’s been passed down and embroidered for thousands of years.

Of course, to think like this is to show a high level of ignorance. New Zealand does have a rich folklore that’s been passed down for maybe not thousands, but at least hundreds of years. Maori folklore contains many magical creatures, not just the taniwha – the one that everyone knows about. It has spirits and demons; ogres and wild men. It even has its own version of fairies – and not the cute kind.

Here, I have compiled a list of magical New Zealand creatures. It is by no means comprehensive. Indeed, to my knowledge, no such comprehensive list exists, at least not on the Internet, and I simply don’t have the time to embark upon a serious academic study. Nevertheless, I hope you find it interesting. I’d like to think that Alexander Bathgate would have done at any rate, and perhaps, one day, I myself will write a fantasy story inspired by New Zealand folklore.

dragon-311410_640 Wellington 005

You might also like

Q&A

avatar
any good plots for short story ? | Yahoo Answers

About a student from Asia that travels to the west to study and finds a brocure on campus after studying till 10pm at night to get A distinctions to satisfy her strict family back home.Shes stressed out and crying walking down the stairs and then sees a leaflet on a Church
She becomes a born again Christian at a Pentecostal Church.
and the past pain of their harsh strict life in China , re sufaces .
A Very deep emotional story , of healing and courage.


Copyright © . All Rights Reserved


Real Time Analytics