Ḵulus is the crest of the ‘Ma’a̱mtagila “Those who come from ‘Matagila”. ‘Matagila “Flyer” the Ancestor of the tribe came down from heaven in the form of a Kulus. In time, ‘Matagila was sent a message that the Great Flood was going to come and cleanse the World. To prepare, ‘Matagila built himself a waterproof house and gathered his family inside to escape the disaster. The terrible flood covered the house completely, but ‘Matagila and his family were spared. After many days, ‘Matagila breaks a hole in the roof of his house and releases one of four birds that he had caught prior to the flood. The first three birds that were set free did not return, but the fourth, returned with a twig of green cedar, signifying that the flood had completely gone down and it was safe to come out. Eventually, ‘Matagila sends his sons to travel about and repopulate the world. When ‘Matagila believed his work was done, he transformed back into a Kulus and returned to his home in the heavens. His constructive, building spirit and helpfulness are respected and honoured in ceremonies practiced by the ‘Ma’a̱mtagila today.
