Moso's Footprint
A 2m basalt depression linked to the giant-God Moso's legendary step.
via Wikipedia: Moso's Footprint · see source
Moso's Footprint is a 2m long depression in basalt on the island of Samoa. According to myth, it was made when the giant Moso stepped over to Fiji from Samoa, with the other footprint found on Viti Levu, Fiji. Geologists believe the footprint was actually formed when a tree toppled during a cyclone many years ago, its roots dislodging surface blocks from a thin bed of heavily jointed basalt.
Quick Facts
- Length
- 2 m / 6 ft 7 in
- Material
- Basalt
- Location
- Samoa
- Associated figure
- Moso
- Legendary counterpart
- Left footprint on Viti Levu, Fiji
Facts from the source article.
Background
The legend of Moso's Footprint begins with Moso, a notorious giant-God of Samoa. Moso had two sons named Filele and Pau, both of botanical forms. The two sons grew to become valuable native hardwood trees for the Samoan people and are commonly found in the Falealupo area. Tuifiti, a Fijian King, traveled from Fiji to Samoa with the intention of marrying Moso's children, only to discover they were not females. He returned to Fiji disappointed, and his friendship with Moso as a result was severed. In order to restore their friendship, Moso stamped his right footprint in Samoa and his left in Fiji as a symbol of their infinite bond. Today, although very separate cultures with unique languages, Samoans and Fijians still hold a close bond.
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