'Aumakua - a good omen #AtoZChallenge2021

In Hawaiian mythology, an 'aumakua is a family god, often a deified ancestor, that takes the form of an animal. If ones chosen 'aumakua appears, it is regarded as a good omen. Many legends tell of an 'aumakua manifesting itself to save a descendant from harm.

The gecko is my 'aumakua. The grayish, almost camouflaged gecko pictured below is one of the friendly fellows that visits my lanai during the day, and chirps away at night.

Common House Gecko

Known as Hemidactylus frenatus, this common house gecko arrived in Hawai'i from Asia sometime around World War II. Aside from bringing good luck, the gecko eats roaches and mosquitoes. While it takes both a male and a female common gecko to reproduce, the mourning gecko (of which only the female inhabits the islands of Hawaii) clones itself. (Yes, Dr. Malcom, life does find a way.) 

Although more popular forms of 'aumakua among Hawaiians are the crow, turtle, shark, owl, and hawk, I've chosen the gecko as my 'aumakua for two reasons. First, because I am a kama'aina (a word describing Hawaii residents regardless of their racial background, whereas kanaka describes a person of Native Hawaiian ancestry), I felt that choosing a more traditional Hawaiian form would be an imposition. Second, the gecko is considered good luck to have in the home, almost a blessing, which is a revered practice in Hawaii. 

Actually, there is a third reason: Geckos are just so darned cute.

*****

'AUMAKUA: Cruising on a Sea of Hawaiian Words #AlohaFriday



Common House Gecko

The gecko is my 'aumakua. The grayish, almost camouflaged gecko pictured above is one of the friendly fellows that visits my lanai during the day, and chirps away at night.

Known as Hemidactylus frenatus, this common house gecko arrived in Hawai'i from Asia around World War II. Aside from bringing good luck to my home, the gecko eats roaches and mosquitoes. While it takes both a male and a female common gecko to reproduce, the mourning gecko (of which only the female inhabits the islands of Hawaii) clones itself.

In Hawaiian mythology, an 'aumakua is a family god, often a deified ancestor, that takes the form of an animal. If ones chosen 'aumakua appears, it is regarded as a good omen. Many legends tell of an 'aumakua manifesting itself to save a descendant from harm.

Although more popular forms of 'aumakua among Hawaiians are the crow, turtle, shark, owl, and hawk, I've chosen the gecko as my 'aumakua for two reasons. First, because I am a kama'aina (a word describing Hawai'i residents regardless of their racial background, as opposed to kanaka which means a person of Native Hawaiian ancestry), I would not presume to choose a more traditional Hawaiian form. Second, the gecko is considered good luck to have in the home, almost a blessing which is a revered practice in Hawai'i. 

Actually, there is a third reason: Geckos are just so darned cute.

*****

O is for OWLS HOOTING and Frogs Croaking #AtoZChallenge

For this year's challenge, my theme is The Fun in Writing. Each of my 26 posts for April is aimed at
illustrating fun parts of an author's day. A writer doesn't only write.
Creating a story or an essay requires research, revision, editing, and lots and lots of coffee and chocolate.



O is for OWLS HOOTING and Frogs Croaking

Wisconsin Owl

 

A scene in my latest novel has a campground setting outside of a small Wisconsin town. Along with campfire discussions, S'mores consumption, and beer-drinking, I managed to actually write a romantic scene (not my forte as a mystery writer!)

 

What I most enjoyed writing about to set that scene were the night sounds in a quiet country atmosphere. You can almost hear the stars moving overhead in a sky that is coal-black with the absence of artificial lights. The noise of city traffic is left behind, honking horns cease to exist, the wail of a fire truck or an ambulance seldom shatters the silence.

 

What I always enjoyed hearing, when I still lived in Wisconsin, were the hooting of the owl and the croaking of the frogs. Writing about these night creatures underscored for me The Fun in Writing.

 

 

 

 

Photo by Jack Wolford appeared in the May/June 2014 issue of Hawai’i Magazine

 

The subject of the featured photograph by photographer Jack Wolford is actually a native pueo, the Hawaiian short-eared owl found on the main Hawaiian Islands. This owl, rare and elusive, is revered by some Hawaiian families as their aumakua, a family god or embodiment of an ancestral spirit.

 

 

 

http://www.hawaiimagazine.com/one_last_look_may_june_2014