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Glite Dictionary
aumakua

aumakua

1 9.9
An ancestor spirit that protects and guides a family, often as an animal or plant
  • noun
  • /ɑːˈmɑːkuːə/
  • Literature
: aumakua
  • The family believed that their aumakua would guide them through difficult times.

Examples

  • My grandmother often spoke of our family aumakua.

  • The family believed their aumakua watched over them in the form of a shark.

  • During ceremonies, offerings were made to honor the aumakua and seek protection.

  • Each Hawaiian family may have a different aumakua, such as an owl or a plant.

  • In Hawaiian culture, an aumakua can take the form of a shark.

  • Every Hawaiian ceremony honors the aumakua, calling upon them for protection and guidance.

  • They say that each person has a unique aumakua that appears to them in moments of need.

Surface Forms

aumakua singular
aumakua plural

Etymology

The word aumakua comes from Hawaiian and names a family spirit that watches over and guides people, often appearing as an animal, a plant, or a natural sign. Think of it as a family 'guardian', which is why aumakua means a protective spirit that looks after the family.