Tradition: Cook Islands Mythology
Alternative Names: Moko
Category: Lizard

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The Myth

Moko is a cunning and resourceful figure in the mythology of Mangaia, an island in the Cook Islands. He is regarded as the ruler or king of the lizards and is also the grandfather of Ngaru, a heroic figure in Mangaian tradition. Through his cleverness and command over his reptilian subjects, Moko plays a role in the island’s supernatural tales.

In one story, Moko orders his lizard subjects to climb into the basket belonging to Amai-te-rangi, a demon of the sky, so they can spy on him. When Amai-te-rangi pulls the basket up into the heavens, he expects to find something worthwhile but discovers it filled with miserable little reptiles instead. The lizards escape from the basket and overrun his home in the sky, turning Moko’s scheme into a troublesome surprise for the demon.

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Sources

“Moko (Mythology).” Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation. Accessed October 21, 2026. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moko_(mythology)

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