According to Maori tradition: 1) All humans are descended from Rangi and Papa, the primordial parents known as Heaven and Earth. Rangi and Papa had six sons who represented different natural elements. 2) In the beginning, Rangi and Papa clung closely together and the world was dark. Their six sons, the environment and creatures lived in darkness for a long period. 3) After a battle between the sons, Tū-matauenga ate four of his brothers but spared Tāwhiri-mā-tea, explaining modern humanity's fierce and warring nature as well as our relationship with food, plants, animals and storms.