By Rebecca
Well, it’s been a year, and we’ve discussed loads of demons and critters here, but
this one may be a first. A creature, a race more specifically, that actually helped
shape a society’s skills. This month we’re talking about the patupairehe and how
they helped the Maori of New Zealand.
The patupairehe are Maori fairies known to live in the Pirongia mountains and
other secluded fog obscured hill top locales. They are seen mostly at night, and
have the general appearance of humans, except for being exceedingly pale.
Patupairehe frequently take human lovers, with the men of the species being
skilled at arousing human women with their flute skills. That’s not a euphemism,
they actually play the flute. Just like most fairies, they are guardians of the
wilderness. The patupairehe fear the sun, fire, ash, and the color red. Also, they
are repulsed by cooked food. All of these things can be used to protect yourself
from them. Why protect yourself? Well, think of your family. Patupairehe males
will make off with your women. Once your love has been spirited off to their new
fairy home, they will forget their human lives.
Despite this, patupairehe have been incredibly helpful to the Maori. Once, a long
time ago, a man came across the remains of a fish left on the beach. He found it
odd that someone would abandon their catch, so he hid and waited for the
fishermen to return. At midnight the patupairehe showed up and cast their
magical fish nets. The man, who had fairly pale skin for a human, joined them
unnoticed as they worked. Once they brought in the nets, they proceeded to
string the fish they caught. The man struggled and so the patupairehe showed
him how to do it.
As dawn approached, the patupairehe realized that the man, was well, a man.
They argued amongst themselves as to what to do. Before they knew it, the sun
was rising and they fled.
The patupairehe left all of the fishing gear. The man went back and taught the
Maori what he had learned. That’s why the Maori are such skilled fisherman.
Fishing with the Patupairehe
