Escape into Myth or Strategy for Community and Identity? The Whale Rider by Witi Ihimaera

This article aims to show that in a ' Western' reading of Witi Ihimaera's book, "The Whale Rider" (1987), myth is of overarching importance to all societies in the world for the preservation of community and identity.In the world of the Whangara myth, three aspects are of importance to the reading of the narrative: the Leviathan, the Whale Rider and the reflection of the real world in the mythical world.The narrative shows that Māori do not flee into myth, but that the integration of myth and the everyday reference to myth is what enables Māori to exist and continue to exist as Māori, because Māori define themselves as Māori through myth.Ultimately, the message of the narrative to preserve and build a community and identity not only for the Whangara community but for all societies around the world is: "Haumi e, hui e, taiki e": Let us unite, come together and stand by each other!Keywords myth;