1. According to Makemson (The Morning Star Rises) our constellation Perseus was named Faa-iti in Tahiti and the islands close by: "48. Faa-iti, Little Valley, is the constellation Perseus in the Society Islands. Its Tuamotuan equivalent Faka-iti is a star in Orion, probably Epsilon." "53. Faka-iti, Little Valley; a Tuamotuan star described as the first bright star west of Oupo, which is the first bright star west of Sirius. If 'bright' is interpreted as between second and third magnitude, then Oupo is Beta Canis Majoris and Faka-iti is Alpha Leporis." We cannot expect the Polynesians to perceive Perseus, the greek hero, in their sky. But where is their valley?
I guess it could refer to a valley which at its bottom has the 'little eyes' (Matariki). And haka-iti should literally mean 'make small ones', I think. Such a little valley would begin with ο (Atiks) and end with ζ (Menkhib). |
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