Kehua (Māori Ghosts and Spirits)

Greaterwell-documentedMāori cultureNew Zealand

In Māori culture, kehua are ghosts or spirits that appear as apparitions of long deceased family members to warn of upcoming danger. They hold a sacred status, implying tapu. (Note: 1. The draft states "Kehua are considered to be apparitions of long deceased family members," but Source 1 mentions it as "long deceased family members may appear." This implies Kehua could also refer)

Origin

Kehua are considered to be apparitions of long deceased family members, with no specific origin story mentioned in the source material.

Appearance

Appears in various forms as an apparition of a long deceased family member, including instances where they manifest as objects or vehicles such as a phantom canoe.

Abilities

Believed to appear with the intention of warning people of upcoming danger, potentially possessing a predictive function but not explicitly stated in the source material.

Weaknesses & Wards

Weaknesses

  • condition
    disrespect

Wards

  • ritual
    showing respect for their sacred status

Community Record

Sources
  1. [1]
    Ghosts and spirits in Māori culture. Wikipedia article on ghosts and spirits in Māori culturewiki
well-documented