Note 34 — Chapter IV · MYTHS AND LEGENDS

“Consequent on the disappearance of Tomo and his wife, the duties of headship over the community at Wota-emi devolved on one of their grandchildren, named Ko̱lwo̱t, who was distinguished by being the first to spear and catch turtles. The tomola remained on the islands long after Tomo’s transformation, but after Ko̱lwo̱t’s death, according to one legend, they grew disobedient, and as Puluga ceased to visit them, became more and more remiss in their observance of the commands given at the creation. At last Puluga’s anger burst forth, and, without any warning, he sent a great flood that covered the whole land, and destroyed all living. Four persons (two men, Lo̱ra-lola and Po̱i-lola, and two women, Ka-lola and Rima-lola), who happened to be in a canoe when the catastrophe occurred, were able to effect an escape. When the waters subsided, they found themselves near Wota-emi, where they landed and discovered that every living thing on earth had perished; but Puluga re-created the animals, birds, etc.34.”