Megashark vs Giant Octopus


 No, this is not a commentary of the cheesy 2009 movie but my telling of the myth that may possibly have inspired the scriptwriters of that creature feature. The islands of Fiji have many ancient myths including the tale of how the shark deity Dakuwaqa clashed with the octopus deity Rokobakaniceva. I have come across two slightly differing versions of this account, one which favours the shark as the more heroic of the two and one which puts the octopus in the better light. I suspect (though have insufficient knowledge of Fijian religion to say with any certainty) that the two versions may originate from tow different islands - one where the devotees of Dakuwaqa live and the other where the followers of Rokobakaniceva dwell. in matters of faith, human worshippers often take on the function of a Public Relations team promoting their favoured divinity.

Whilst I am being flippant, the impact of loyalty and inter-tribal politics has a significant role to play in the recording of mythology. Bias constantly enters into it, which is always worth bearing in mind when-negotiating your way through the complex world of Woo-Woo. 

A friend, Olga, requested an oceanic story and so I recorded this for her. I take requests (except for the most commonly received request, which is to shut up and go away, or words to that effect).



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