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In Māori and Polynesian mythology, Ikatere, also spelled Ika-tere,[1] ('fast fish')[2] is a fish god, the father of all sea creatures, including mermaids.
| Ikatere | |
|---|---|
| Gender | Male |
| Region | Polynesia |
| Ethnic group | Māori |
| Genealogy | |
| Parents | Punga |
| Siblings | Tū-te-wehiwehi |
He is a son of Punga, and a grandson of Tangaroa, and his brother is Tū-te-wehiwehi[1][2] (Grey 1971:1–5).
When Tāwhirimātea (god of storms) made war against his brothers for the separation of Rangi and Papa (sky and earth), Ikatere and Tū-te-wehiwehi were among those who had to flee from his wrath for their survival.[1][2] The two argued over whether they should stay in the sea or go to the land.[2] Ikatere chose to keep his children, the fish, to the sea,[1] while Tū-te-wehiwehi chose to take his children, reptiles, to the land.[2] A saying that refers to the choices they made for their descendants goes as such:
Māori Translation Tāua ki uta, tāua ki te wai. We of the land, we of the sea.[2]
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