Faamo'aku (ˈfaː.moˈʔa.ku)

"Wherever a Mu'o'a egg is laid, there is Faamo'aku too."

— Mu'o'a belief

Faamo'aku is one of the great Akus of Motu, and is the guardian of nests and eggs. They are anchored to the island itself, but have special connection to all the locations where the Mu'o'a have laid their eggs. They rule over the faamoega, who are lesser akus who inhabit each nest of the Mu'o'a.

Faamo'aku is one of the Fua'aku, those gods who were once mortal beings and underwent Apotheosis. They were one of the first of the Mu'o'a to arrive on Motu along with Pinau. Faamo stood guard over the eggs laid upon the sea, and then later over the first fale'ofā'ao on Motu, in the village of Falehou. As the Mu'o'a spread across the island of Motu, they would place a small statue of Faamo where it could watch the eggs. When Faamo passed, stories were told that these statues would sometimes move on their own, to care for and defend the eggs. Over time, Faamo became Faamo'aku, and the statues became known as the faamoega.

Manifestation

When Faamo'aku manifests, they appear as an elderly Mu'o'a, usually leaning upon a cane. More often though, Faamo'aku is simply a voice in the nest, directing attention to some need of the eggs, and the physical manifestation will fall to the fale'ofā'ao's faamoega, which will animate the statue of Faamo'aku to carry out what is needed. These sorts of direct interventions are not common, and are generally considered a rebuke to the local Aiga for not attending closely to the needs of their eggs. If Faamo'aku has to intervene more than once in a generation, the Aiga will develop a reputation for ignoring proper Mu'a, and will find that the other Aku are less willing to work with them and their Faifāitonu.

Folklore

The most famous tale that includes Faamo'aku centers around Tama's Fai Fuamoa and their protection of the fale'ofā'ao of Ta'nafa. A full rendition of this tale can be found here.

Divine Classification

God

Current Location

Motu

Species

Numina

Ethnicity

Mu'o'a

Family

Aku

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