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.
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| 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.***** |
