Cook mythology

The mythology Cook designates the myths and legends natives of the Cook Islands. According to oral tradition, the Cook Islands were populated from the VIII^e century or IX^e century in successive waves from Samoa, the Society Islands, the Tuamotus and probably also the Marquesas Islands and the Austral Islands. Nevertheless, according to archaeologist Patrick V. Kirch, certain environmental modifications observed on the islands of Mangaia and Aitutaki and dating from 2000 to 2500 years ago could be of human origin.

The Cook Islands were also one of the starting points for Polynesian migrations to New Zealand. Thus that of the vaka Takitumu (Rarotonga) towards the end of the XIII^e century towards the east coast of the North Island is confirmed by oral tradition and archeology. 

The southern part consists of the following islands:

• Aitutaki,
• Atiu,
• Mangaia,
• Manuae,
• Mauke,
• Mitiaro,
• Palmerston,
• Rarotonga
• and Takutea.

The northern part of the archipelago includes the islands of:

• Manihiki,
• Nassau,
• Penrhyn,
• Pukapuka,
• Rakahanga
• and Suwarrow.