Mata Nui Cow

"The Mukau is a placid animal that lives in herds on the plains of Mata Nui. Although peaceful by nature, it is quick to react to danger. Opponents would be wise to beware the Mukau's horns and hooves, which it can wield with surprising speed!"
— LEGO Mania Magazine January-February 2002

Mata Nui Cow
Rahi
Powers	None
Conservation status	Unknown
Known locations	Metru Nui (formerly) Mata Nui (formerly) Spherus Magna
Pronunciation	MAH-tah NOO-ee
Set	8531+8533 Mata Nui Cow (instructions)

The Mata Nui Cow is a peaceful bovine Rahi.

History

The Mata Nui Cow species was created by the Makuta using Viruses and Liquid Protodermis to be one of the Rahi to inhabit the Matoran Universe.

After the Great Cataclysm, the population of Cows that lived in Metru Nui migrated to the grassy plains found on the newly-formed island of Mata Nui, where they resided for 1,000 years.

When the Toa Nuva intentionally unleashed the Bohrok, these Cows returned to Metru Nui.

After the Great Spirit Robot was critically damaged in the Battle of Bara Magna, the surviving Mata Nui Cows left the Matoran Universe and immigrated to Spherus Magna.

Abilities and Traits

Though naturally gentle, the Mata Nui Cow becomes considerably more formidable when faced with danger, taking advantage of its sturdy horns and hooves which it quickly adopts as natural weapons.

Set Information

A Mata Nui Cow in set form

The 8531+8533 Mata Nui Cow can be built using parts from Toa Mata sets 8531 Pohatu and 8533 Gali. Spinning a gear on its back causes its front legs to alternately move back and forth. Instructions could be found in a 2002 LEGO Mania Magazine (now simply LEGO Magazine) or on the LEGO Club website.

Trivia

• The Mata Nui Cow was designed by LEGO employee Daniel Lipkowitz. Before it was made canon, it was posted as a MOC on Lipkowitz's fan page The Sands of Mata Nui, along with the Dikapi, Kirikori Nui, and Ranama.
• In the original MOC and the photograph on the LEGO Club website, the Mata Nui Cow's eyes are towballs and the head piece on its back is blue. These pieces are not present in the cow's two component sets. The official instructions call for ball joint eyes and a grey head.
• This Rahi was originally called the Mukau (a pun on "Moo-Cow"), but it has not been called by this name since 2002. The name was taken out of canon because the story team head considered it too silly.

External links

• Mata Nui Cow Building Instructions on LEGO Club (archive)
• Mata Nui Cow Building Instructions on Google Drive
• Daniel Lipkowitz's original MOC and fanfiction