03/09/2022
Tribal Taro - Sacred nourishment & ancestor of the Philippines, Hawai'i, & across the Pacific. ๐ฑ๐๐ฅ๐
Taro is known in the Philippines as Gabi/Abi/Avi, in Hawai'i as Kalo, in Sฤmoa as Talo, & similar names from island to island. It is a tropical plant, from which the root & leaves are commonly used to make food such as Laing in the Philippines, Poi in Hawai'i, Palusami in Sฤmoa, Lu Pulu & Lu Sipi in Tonga, Poulet Fafa in Tahiti, & so much more!
It is a very sacred plant, particularly in the Philippines, where legend says that in the pre-colonial times, a great ruler named Rajah Matapang had an only son, Gabino, who was peace loving & did not want to fight. When Rajah Matapang & his army left for an expedition, an enemy tribe attacked their village. Gabino, who stayed behind, fought to protect the women & children, was mortally wounded, & died. When Rajah Matapang returned, he found his son & buried him in his garden. One day he noticed a new species of plant shaped like a shield growing from the grave of Gabino. In his honor, he named the plant Gabi.
In Hawai'i, it is said that the Kalo (Taro) is part of their creation story. The Sky Father Wฤkea & the keeper of the stars Ho'ohokuikalani (who also happened to be his daughter with Earth Mother Papahฤnaumoku) had a stillborn child, Hฤloanaka. He was buried into the Earth, & from his grave grew the first Kalo plant. Their second son was named Hฤloa, & he was nourished by the food produced by Hฤloanaka. The Kanaka Maoli (Native Hawaiians) are descended from Hฤloa, & are thus related to the sacred Kalo plant, from which they gain their sustenance & mana.
This plant unites all of us, from the Philippines, to Hawai'i, Sฤmoa, & all islands across the Pacific. My interpretation combines tattoo motifs from all tribes.
The next you consume or see Taro plants, remember that you are consuming sacred energy, & give thanks.
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