Motu (ˈmo.tu)
"There is no more perfect place than Motu in the Great Ring." - Kailo Moana
Motu is the eighth largest island in the Great Ring, and the southernmost of the great islands. It is just south of the island of Atu Motu, across the Vā o Manogi. It is has a diverse geography which includes dense jungles, rolling hills, and towering mountain ranges.
The island is mostly populated by the Mu'o'a people, who have lived there since the great navigator Pinau led them across the sea from Trano centuries ago. There are also several communities of Tāngata who live on the northeastern coast, having crossed over the strait from Atu Motu.
There are dozens of villages along the coasts and rivers of Motu. One of the best known is Fale'aku, on the western coast. It was the birthplace of the legendary Fai Tala Kailo Moana, who traveled far in both the Physical and Dream realms.
There is no central government that rules over the villages of the Mu'o'a on Motu. Instead, the villages coordinate with each other according to the principles of Mu'a. Each village serves as the home to an Aiga, centered around the communal nest. Each will have their own matai, who is responsible for the welfare of their Aiga. The different villages are in frequent contact with each other, and will come together with their neighbors throughout the year for holidays and celebrations. They also will join together in times of war, and it is not uncommon to find two or more allied groups making war on each other.
Notable Spirits
Motu is traditionally seen as a joining of two major Aku. The first is Levi'aku, the great serpent which rules the waters of and around the island. The second is I'a'aku, the great fish who is the lord of the island itself. Mu'o'a Faifāitonu honor the two Aku equally, and they rule all the lesser Aku that reside within the land and water of Motu.
Geography
The coastline of Motu has numerous bays and inlets, along with dozens of small islands. Most of the population lives along the coast, and fishing is a major source of sustenance. The center of the island is dominated by a high volcanic plateau called the Papa Ahi, with the great volcano Maunavā at its heart. The plateau is home to several active volcanos, crater lakes, and lava fields.
Another notable location is the Hinekōkō Crater, located just south of the Papa Ahi plateau. This depression was once the home to the strange ichor lake known as Vaituloto Lolo, where the Loloto eggs were incubated. Pinau and his warriors ignited the ichor in their final battle with the Loloto, and burned the lake away. Since then, the crater has become a lush and verdant garden the the Mu'o'a claim has a connection to the Dream.
There are several rivers that originate in the Papa Ahi and flow over the edge of the plateau, creating spectacular waterfalls. The largest of these is the Vai Tafe, which emerges from the great lake of Ofuto'o and crosses the plateau to the spectacular waterfall known as Afu Lele.
Geographic Details
Location: Southern RegionLatitude: 8.49 degrees South
Longitude: 0.75 degrees East
Average Elevation: 217 ft
Highest Point: 8,694 ft (Maunavā)
Lowest Point: -3 ft (Hinekōkō Crater)
Area: 43,911 sq mi
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