Yet another creature from maori folklore: Matuku-tangotango, an ogre, adversary of the hero, Rata. He gets decapitated by Rata when he comes to a pond to wash his hair when the moon ascends the horizon. Thus in my interpretation he is a lunar monster, having his powers closely aligned with the moon. His magic life source is in his huge stack of hair, which is when it's let down comes to life. Like the octopus's legs, it hunts fish and devours all underwater the pond. Matuku's war club is merely a comb, one to fit this monstrous hair. My beast is more horrendous by essence and chance than by meditation and intent: a huge, dumb varmint - innocent as a predatory animal, just following his nature.
 |
| Matuku-tangotango |
 |
| Matuku's hair let loose underwater |
 |
My first sketch, ballpoint pen, one stroke.
|
