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{{Featured}}{{Location
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{{Featured}}
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{{Location
|image = Moana-85.jpg
 
|films = ''[[Moana]]''
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|image = Motunui (Moana - 2016).png
  +
|films = ''[[Moana (film)|Moana]]''
  +
|shorts = ''[[Gone Fishing]]''<br>''[[Once Upon a Snowman]]''
 
|games = ''[[Moana: Rhythm Run]]<br>[[Moana: Island Life]]''
 
|games = ''[[Moana: Rhythm Run]]<br>[[Moana: Island Life]]''
|inspiration = Teti'aroa<ref name="geek">{{Cite web|url=http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2016/09/07/65-things-disney-moana/|title = 65 Things To Know About Disney’s ‘Moana’|website = Geeks of Doom|date = September 7, 2016}}</ref>
+
|inspiration = {{WikipediaLink|Tetiꞌaroa}}<ref name="geek">{{Cite web|url=http://www.geeksofdoom.com/2016/09/07/65-things-disney-moana/|title = 65 Things To Know About Disney’s ‘Moana’|website = Geeks of Doom|date = September 7, 2016}}</ref>
  +
|location = Pacific Ocean
|ruler = [[Tui and Sina|Tui]] (chief)
 
  +
|ruler = [[Matai Vasa]] (first chief)<br>Matai's son (second chief)<br>Tui's grandfather (chief; formerly)<br>Tui's father (chief; formerly)<br>[[Chief Tui|Tui]] (chief; formerly)<br>[[Moana (character)|Moana]] (chief)
|inhabitants = [[Tui and Sina|Sina]], [[Moana Waialiki]], [[Gramma Tala]], [[Pua (Moana)|Pua]], [[Heihei]]}}'''Motunui''' is a South Pacific island and the home of the [[Moana Waialiki|titular protagonist]] of the film ''[[Moana]]''.
 
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|inhabitants = [[Sina]], [[Gramma Tala]], [[Pua (Moana)|Pua]], [[Heihei]]
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|visitors = [[Maui]], [[Mini Maui]], [[Ocean]]
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|final state = Restored
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}}
  +
  +
'''Motunui''' is a South Pacific island and the home of the [[Moana (character)|titular protagonist]] of the [[2016]] [[Walt Disney Animation Studios|Disney]] animated film ''[[Moana (film)|Moana]]''.
   
 
==Background==
 
==Background==
  +
Motunui village is a chiefdom or Fa'amatai, with each ruler having been the offspring of the previous ruler. The continuation of the hierarchy does not rely on the death of a ruler, but rather the heir's willingness to accept their destined role. Once ready, the heir must place a stone atop Motunui's sacred mountain, as a way to usher in the start of their reign.
Thousands of years before [[Moana Waialiki|Moana]], Motunui was the home to the world's first great navigators. With their resources, they explored the open oceans freely and triumphantly. However, due to the actions of the demigod [[Maui]], the world surrounding the island became overrun with darkness. It was eventually declared that the sea was too dangerous for exploration, and the inhabitants of the island's village were thereby forbidden from ever leaving the security of the reef (though the true reason as to why had been kept confidential from the following generations).<ref name="SK">{{Cite web|url = http://www.stitchkingdom.com/disney-moana-character-descriptions-poses-87198/|title = Disney ‘Moana’ Extended Character Descriptions, Character Poses (High Resolution)|website = Stitch Kingdom|date = July 25, 2016}}</ref>
 
  +
===History===
  +
Created by the island goddess [[Te Fiti]], Motunui was discovered and founded by a family of voyagers, led by the great Matai Vasa. Together, they staked their claim on the land by creating a thriving village. While the younger generation would eventually leave to continue voyaging and finding new lands, Matai Vasa remained on the island with the rest of his people. Some time afterwards, the demigod [[Maui]] stole [[Heart of Te Fiti|Te Fiti's life-giving heart]], which gave birth to a terrible darkness that spread across the world. Along with this darkness came sea-dwelling monsters that lurked throughout the ocean, attacking anything that crossed their paths. The people of Motunui learned of the danger as their boats and sailors failed to return from their travels. To protect their people, the ancient chiefs established a law that forbade anyone from crossing the island's barrier reef. As Te Fiti's heart was never returned, the law would remain intact for generations.
   
  +
Centuries later, though the law remained, the supernatural reasonings behind it would be regarded as nothing more than folklore; instead, rough seas were the reason the people of Motunui stayed within the reef. Around this time, the young chief-to-be, [[Chief Tui|Tui]], found himself drawn to the sea despite the supposed danger. One night, Tui and a friend took a canoe out to sea and went beyond the reef. Unfortunately, they were greeted by an unforgiving sea. In their attempt to escape, the boat was destroyed, and Tui's friend was killed. This left Tui with a deep fear of the ocean. He also became a strict enforcer of the law forbidding his people from venturing passed the reef.
===Physical appearance===
 
  +
Motunui looks like a typical Polynesian island, with a hot tropical climate, white-sand beaches, crystal clear waters, many trees including coconut palms, houses made of wood and straw, and high earth elevations (mountains).
 
  +
Tui's daughter, [[Moana (character)|Moana]], was born with a pure, selfless heart. As a result, the [[ocean]] chose her as the individual capable of returning Te Fiti's heart and saving the world from the growing darkness. During Moana's teenaged years, said darkness had finally reached Motunui, creating a blight throughout the island. Fortunately, by working with Maui, Moana successfully restored the heart and saved the world. Following her accomplishment, the dying islands were revived, and the law keeping Motunui's villagers within the reef, was lifted. As a result, a new era of voyagers set sail to traverse the world, led by their new chief: Moana
  +
  +
==Places of Interest==
  +
*'''Village:''' Home of the island's populace.
  +
*'''Cavern of Wayfinders:''' Where the ancient chiefs hid their voyaging canoes when the ocean became too dangerous for travel. It is located behind a waterfall.
  +
*'''Place of Chiefs:''' A sacred mountain where a tower of stones is located. Each stone was placed upon the mountain by Motunui's previous chiefs to signify the start of their respective rule.
   
 
==Trivia==
 
==Trivia==
*The name of the island can be from Maori origin, coming from the Motunui settlement in northern Taranaki, in the North Island of [[New Zealand]], or from Rapa Nui origin, coming from the Motu Nui islet in south of Easter Island, Chile.
+
*The name of the island can be from Maori origin, coming from the Motunui settlement in northern Taranaki, in the North Island of [[New Zealand]], or from Rapa Nui origin, coming from the Motu Nui islet in the south of Easter Island, [[Chile]].
*Although the name of the island is indeed of Polynesian origin (see trivia above), there is no Motunui island in real life. The filmmakers chose to create a fictional island in order to equally represent and honor the Polynesian peoples and their cultures without giving clear preference to just one. This way, Motunui embodies the culture and traits of many Polynesian peoples and their islands.
+
*Although the name of the island is indeed of Polynesian origin (see trivia above), there is no Motunui island in real life. The filmmakers chose to create a fictional island in order to equally represent and honor the Polynesian peoples and their cultures without giving clear preference to just one in particular. This way, Motunui embodies the culture and traits of many Polynesian peoples and their islands.
  +
*The people of Motunui might have been inspired by inhabitants of the real-life islands of [[Wikipedia:Samoan Islands|Samoa]], which are frequently referred to as the "Navigator Islands".
   
 
==Gallery==
 
==Gallery==
  +
===Screenshots===
 
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small" widths="150">
 
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small" widths="150">
Moana D23 concept6.jpg
 
Moana D23 concept7.jpg
 
Moana Storyboard.jpg
 
Moana concept 11.jpg
 
Moana concept 2.jpg
 
Moana-54.jpg
 
Moana-23.jpg
 
 
Moana-101.png
 
Moana-101.png
 
Moana-120.png
 
Moana-120.png
 
Moana-119.png
 
Moana-119.png
 
Moana-116.png
 
Moana-116.png
  +
</gallery>
  +
===Concept art===
  +
<gallery position="center" captionalign="center" spacing="small" widths="150">
 
Moana D23 concept6.jpg
 
Moana Storyboard.jpg
 
Moana concept 11.jpg
 
Moana concept 2.jpg
 
</gallery>
 
</gallery>
   
==Reality==
+
==References==
  +
{{Reflist}}
It is not real.{{Moana}}
 
  +
{{Moana}}
   
 
[[de:Motunui]]
 
[[de:Motunui]]
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[[ja:モトゥヌイ]]
 
[[Category:Locations]]
 
[[Category:Locations]]
 
[[Category:Moana locations]]
 
[[Category:Moana locations]]

Revision as of 16:49, 25 October 2020

Sorcerer Mickey sparkling

Motunui is a featured article, which means it has been identified as one of the best articles produced by the Disney Wiki community. If you see a way this page can be updated or improved without compromising previous work, please feel free to contribute.

Motunui is a South Pacific island and the home of the titular protagonist of the 2016 Disney animated film Moana.

Background

Motunui village is a chiefdom or Fa'amatai, with each ruler having been the offspring of the previous ruler. The continuation of the hierarchy does not rely on the death of a ruler, but rather the heir's willingness to accept their destined role. Once ready, the heir must place a stone atop Motunui's sacred mountain, as a way to usher in the start of their reign.

History

Created by the island goddess Te Fiti, Motunui was discovered and founded by a family of voyagers, led by the great Matai Vasa. Together, they staked their claim on the land by creating a thriving village. While the younger generation would eventually leave to continue voyaging and finding new lands, Matai Vasa remained on the island with the rest of his people. Some time afterwards, the demigod Maui stole Te Fiti's life-giving heart, which gave birth to a terrible darkness that spread across the world. Along with this darkness came sea-dwelling monsters that lurked throughout the ocean, attacking anything that crossed their paths. The people of Motunui learned of the danger as their boats and sailors failed to return from their travels. To protect their people, the ancient chiefs established a law that forbade anyone from crossing the island's barrier reef. As Te Fiti's heart was never returned, the law would remain intact for generations.

Centuries later, though the law remained, the supernatural reasonings behind it would be regarded as nothing more than folklore; instead, rough seas were the reason the people of Motunui stayed within the reef. Around this time, the young chief-to-be, Tui, found himself drawn to the sea despite the supposed danger. One night, Tui and a friend took a canoe out to sea and went beyond the reef. Unfortunately, they were greeted by an unforgiving sea. In their attempt to escape, the boat was destroyed, and Tui's friend was killed. This left Tui with a deep fear of the ocean. He also became a strict enforcer of the law forbidding his people from venturing passed the reef.

Tui's daughter, Moana, was born with a pure, selfless heart. As a result, the ocean chose her as the individual capable of returning Te Fiti's heart and saving the world from the growing darkness. During Moana's teenaged years, said darkness had finally reached Motunui, creating a blight throughout the island. Fortunately, by working with Maui, Moana successfully restored the heart and saved the world. Following her accomplishment, the dying islands were revived, and the law keeping Motunui's villagers within the reef, was lifted. As a result, a new era of voyagers set sail to traverse the world, led by their new chief: Moana

Places of Interest

  • Village: Home of the island's populace.
  • Cavern of Wayfinders: Where the ancient chiefs hid their voyaging canoes when the ocean became too dangerous for travel. It is located behind a waterfall.
  • Place of Chiefs: A sacred mountain where a tower of stones is located. Each stone was placed upon the mountain by Motunui's previous chiefs to signify the start of their respective rule.

Trivia

  • The name of the island can be from Maori origin, coming from the Motunui settlement in northern Taranaki, in the North Island of New Zealand, or from Rapa Nui origin, coming from the Motu Nui islet in the south of Easter Island, Chile.
  • Although the name of the island is indeed of Polynesian origin (see trivia above), there is no Motunui island in real life. The filmmakers chose to create a fictional island in order to equally represent and honor the Polynesian peoples and their cultures without giving clear preference to just one in particular. This way, Motunui embodies the culture and traits of many Polynesian peoples and their islands.
  • The people of Motunui might have been inspired by inhabitants of the real-life islands of Samoa, which are frequently referred to as the "Navigator Islands".

Gallery

Screenshots

Concept art

References

  1. "65 Things To Know About Disney’s ‘Moana’". Geeks of Doom (September 7, 2016).
v - e - d
Moana Logo 2
Media
Moana (soundtrack/video) • Moana 2Moana (2025)Gone FishingChibi Tiny Tales

Video games: Moana: Island LifeMoana: Rhythm RunDisney Emoji BlitzDisney Heroes: Battle ModeDisney Magic KingdomsDisney Sorcerer's Arena
Books: The Art of MoanaDisney Princess Beginnings

Disney Parks
Art of Disney AnimationCastle of Magical DreamsIt's a Small WorldJourney of Water, Inspired by Moana

Entertainment: Believe! Sea of Dreams"A Whole New World" A Magical Disney SongbookBelieve! Sea of DreamsFantasmic!Follow Your DreamsMickey’s Storybook AdventureMoana: A Homecoming CelebrationRivers of Light: We Are OneThe Tale of Moana
Parades: A Million Splashes of ColourDisney Adventure Friends CavalcadeDisney Harmony in Color! ParadeMagic HappensMain Street Electrical ParadeMickey & Friends Street Celebration
Fireworks: Disney EnchantmentHappily Ever AfterHarmoniousMomentousWonderful World of AnimationWorld of Color: OneIlluminate! A Nighttime CelebrationWondrous Journeys
Spring: Disney Pirate or Princess: Make Your Choice
Summer: Adventure is Out There!Summer Blast

Characters
MoanaMauiGramma TalaChief TuiSinaHeiheiPuaMini MauiTamatoaKakamoraTe Fiti/Te KāOceanEight-Eyed BatsMatai VasaMotunui Villagers

Deleted characters: Moana's Brothers

Locations
MotunuiMaui's IslandLalotaiTamatoa's LairTe Fiti
Songs
Moana: Tulou TagaloaAn Innocent WarriorWhere You AreHow Far I'll GoWe Know the WayYou're WelcomeShinyLogo Te PateI Am Moana (Song of the Ancestors)Know Who You Are

Moana 2: We're Back
Deleted songs: UnstoppableMoreWarrior Face

Objects
Maui's Fish HookHeart of Te FitiMoana's NecklaceMoana's Boat
See Also
As Told by Emoji