In the time before the world was divided by sea and land, there existed only a vast, endless space where light and water intertwined. From this eternal stillness emerged Na Atibu, the first divine being, whose body became the foundation of creation. Out of his chest rose a magnificent tree, tall and luminous, called Kai n Tiku Aba, the Tree of the Beginning.
The tree’s roots sank deep into the bones of Na Atibu, drawing life from his sacred essence. Its branches spread wide, touching every corner of the sky, glistening like veins of light. Upon each branch rested small human figures the ancestors of all who would one day inhabit the islands. They slept peacefully in their cradles of leaves, waiting for the day they would awaken to live upon the earth.
The gods watched over Kai n Tiku Aba with reverence, for it was both a symbol of Na Atibu’s sacrifice and a bridge between heaven and earth. The tree was sacred, and its trunk pulsed with the rhythm of divine life. The people who came after Na Atibu lived in awe of it, for they knew that their souls and destinies were tied to its branches.
Among them was a man named Na Kika, a being of great curiosity and restlessness. He gazed at the immense tree that shadowed the world and wondered what would happen if he could see beyond it. The elders warned him that the tree was sacred and that to harm it was to break the harmony of creation. Yet his desire for discovery grew stronger than his fear.
One night, while the others slept, Na Kika took his sharp stone axe and approached the tree. The moon shone softly, and the sea whispered as if to dissuade him. But his hands did not tremble. He struck the tree once, and it groaned like thunder. He struck it again, and the sky flickered with strange light. On the third strike, the sacred tree cracked.
The branches of Kai n Tiku Aba shuddered and then tore away, lifted by the winds and flung across the endless ocean. Each branch carried sleeping ancestors, who fell upon the waters and became the islands of the world. Some landed in the east, some in the west, and some sank into the deep.
When dawn broke, the world was no longer one land but many scattered isles. The people awoke on these islands, confused and alone, yet filled with a new sense of purpose. They found themselves surrounded by the vast sea, which now separated them yet also united them. From the east rose the red light of morning, and they remembered the brilliance of Kai n Tiku Aba.
Na Kika stood among the broken roots of the tree and wept. He realized what he had done the tree could never be restored. He had divided the world, and the unity of the people had been lost. Yet, in his sorrow, he also saw the beauty of what had come to be. The scattered islands were alive with new voices, new families, and new songs. The spirit of Na Atibu had spread far and wide, giving the ocean itself the breath of life.
The gods gathered and spoke. They did not destroy Na Kika, for his act, though reckless, had brought creation into fullness. They declared that the sea would forever remind humankind of their shared origin, and that though separated by waves, they were all branches of the same sacred tree.
To this day, the people of Kiribati remember Kai n Tiku Aba in their chants and dances. They say that the islands float upon the sea like drifting leaves, each carrying the memory of Na Atibu’s heart. Every child born is believed to hold within their soul a spark of that great tree, a living reminder that all humans come from one divine source.
When storms rise, the elders tell of the tree’s fall and warn that disrespect toward the land or sea brings imbalance, just as Na Kika’s impatience once did. The world endures because the roots of Kai n Tiku Aba still lie beneath the waters, binding the islands together through unseen veins of life.
Thus, the legend teaches that creation and destruction are intertwined. From the fall of the sacred tree came diversity and movement. From Na Kika’s mistake came understanding. Humanity, like the scattered branches, must always seek to remain connected through respect, kinship, and remembrance of the beginning.
Sail through the legends of brave navigators, ocean spirits, and island gods
Moral Lesson
The legend of Kai n Tiku Aba reminds us that all creation is interconnected. Human curiosity and desire for knowledge can lead to great change, but wisdom lies in acting with reverence for what is sacred. Unity, respect, and remembrance keep the spirit of the first creation alive.
Knowledge Check
1. Who was Na Atibu in the story?
He was the first divine being whose body became the foundation of creation.
2. What was Kai n Tiku Aba made from?
It grew from the body of Na Atibu, symbolizing the beginning of life.
3. What happened when Na Kika cut the tree?
Its branches scattered across the sea, forming the islands and spreading humankind.
4. What lesson did Na Kika learn after cutting the tree?
He learned that curiosity without respect brings both creation and loss.
5. What does the sea symbolize in the story?
The sea represents both separation and unity among all people.
6. What moral value does the story teach?
It teaches respect for creation, balance, and shared ancestry.
Source: Adapted from Kiribati Myths and Legends Collection by the Kiribati Cultural Centre (2011).
Cultural Origin: Kiribati (Micronesia)
