r/Tonga Sep 10 '19

Tongan History Master Thread

58 Upvotes

Malo e lelei! I have noticed a few posts and comments on a previous thread I posted that there is a need for more resources on early Tongan history. I would like to start a master thread so information is easy to share and find.

Our History – Master Thread for links to resources, websites, artists, academics, authors etc, who have shared information on pre-Christian Tonga and important Tongan history.

None of this information is my own I would just like to share what I have found and encourage everyone to add what any information you know or links you would like to share! I would also like to add that some of the links I will be adding will be of literature written by early missionaries and non-Pasifika people so take everything with a grain of salt but also be weary that some of the information may be unsettling or disturbing to read. Malo.

Tevita H. Fale Polynesian Astronomer – Fale has written lots of articles on Ancient Tongan History.

http://thfale.com/ancient-tongan-religion-lotu/

Tattooing and Traditional Tongan Tattoo by Rodney Powell

https://matadornetwork.com/nights/tattooing-traditional-tongan-tattoo/

Mythology of Oceania – alphabetical list includes gods from all over the Pacific

http://www.janeresture.com/oceania_myths/mythology.htm

Tongan Figures: From goddesses to missionary trophies to masterpieces by Roger Neich, Auckland Museum – pdf

http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/docs/Volume116/jps_v116_no2_2007/5%20Tongan%20figures.pdf

Shamanism in Tonga: An Assessment by Meredith Filihia, Latrobe University – pdf

http://www.jps.auckland.ac.nz/docs/Volume117/Volume%20117%20No%204/3%20Shamanism%20in%20Tonga.pdf

The State and the Church, the State of the Church in Tonga by Heneli T. Niumeitolu, Ph.D Thesis, The University of Edinburugh, 2007

https://core.ac.uk/download/pdf/278075.pdf

An Account of the Natives of the Tongan Islands/Chapter X. (Rest of the chapters also on wiki)

https://en.wikisource.org/wiki/An_Account_of_the_Natives_of_the_Tonga_Islands/Chapter_X

The Supernatural in Tonga by E.E.V. Collocott, 1921 – pdf

https://anthrosource.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1525/aa.1921.23.4.02a00030

Letter from the Chevalier Dillon to a Wesleyan Missionary on the subject of the murders, massacres, and slaughter of the natives of Tonga, in 1837.—No. I.

https://trove.nla.gov.au/newspaper/article/31731746

Tongan Mythology Creation Myth

https://www.revolvy.com/page/Tongan-narrative

Takuaka – Myth of the shark god

https://www.livingoceansfoundation.org/takuaka-myth-of-the-shark-god/


r/Tonga 16h ago

Arrival at Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, 1929 — photograph by C. M. Yonge

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17 Upvotes

This photograph shows the arrival of an expedition at Nukuʻalofa, the capital of Tonga, in 1929. The image is part of the photographic album documenting the Great Barrier Reef Expedition (1928–1929), a scientific mission focused on the study of coral reefs and marine life.

The photograph records a moment of contact between the researchers and the Pacific Islands, showing the local pier and the arrival area of the port. It was taken by Charles Maurice Yonge, a scientist and member of the expedition.


r/Tonga 16h ago

View from Talau looking west, Tonga, c. 1895 — photograph by Thomas Andrew

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15 Upvotes

This photograph shows a western view from Mount Talau in Tonga, taken around 1895 by photographer Thomas Andrew. The image is part of the South Sea Islands photograph album, a collection documenting landscapes and communities across the Pacific Islands during the late nineteenth century.

The photograph captures the natural scenery of Tonga, including the landscape surrounding Mount Talau, which is now part of Mt Talau National Park on the island of Vavaʻu


r/Tonga 16h ago

Game of Lafo, Vavau Island, Tonga, approximately 1895

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15 Upvotes

This photograph shows a traditional Lafo game being played on Vavaʻu Island, Tonga, around 1895. It was taken by photographer Thomas Andrew and is part of the South Sea Islands photograph album, which documents the people, landscapes, and customs of Pacific Island communities in the late nineteenth century.


r/Tonga 16h ago

Two men under a palm tree, Tonga, c. 1895

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13 Upvotes

This photograph, taken around 1895, shows two Tongan men standing beneath a palm tree in Tonga. It forms part of the South Sea Islands photograph album, a collection documenting the landscapes, people, and daily life of Pacific Island communities during the late nineteenth century.


r/Tonga 1d ago

Walking across Tonga main island in a day

11 Upvotes

Hello there my name is Adam, I’m 28 from the UK but currently live in Adelaide, Australia. I recently submitted my PhD thesis and wanted to do something for charity in the mean time while I wait. I was going to raise money for a Palestinian sports charity (Palestine Sport 4 Life) that allows children to have access to new equipment and helps with other areas of their wellbeing. My way of raising money was to dribble a football (soccer) all the way from Abel Tasman’s Landing Site to Niutoua in one day. Would this be possible, I currently don’t have any Tongan friends or know anyone who is Tongan so would love to get in contact with anyone.


r/Tonga 1d ago

Tonga, 1895

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29 Upvotes

r/Tonga 1d ago

The lagoon at Tongatabu, Tonga, 1929

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24 Upvotes

r/Tonga 1d ago

Cemetery at Tongatabu, Tonga, 1929

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14 Upvotes

r/Tonga 1d ago

The Royal Palace, Nukuʾalofa, Tonga, 1929

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10 Upvotes

r/Tonga 2d ago

Portrait of Queen Sālote Tupou III of Tonga

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39 Upvotes

r/Tonga 2d ago

Princess Mataʻaho Tupoutoʻa of Tonga and her daughter, Princess Pilolevu, visit Universal Studios Hollywood in 1964, where they meet actor Ernest Borgnine and the cast of McHale’s Navy after a long walk along Lankershim Boulevard.

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35 Upvotes

r/Tonga 2d ago

Queen Sālote Tupou III of Tonga celebrates her 64th birthday in Auckland, New Zealand, in 1964. The Tongan queen attends a private thanksgiving service with Methodist clergy and her nine-year-old grandson, Prince Alai-Vahamamaʻo, while receiving medical treatment in New Zealand.

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15 Upvotes

r/Tonga 2d ago

Queen Elizabeth II and Queen Sālote Tupou III leaving a Wesleyan Church service in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga, during Queen Elizabeth II’s Commonwealth tour in 1954

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12 Upvotes

r/Tonga 3d ago

I am a palangi going to Tonga for the first time!

12 Upvotes

Hello! I am going to Tonga in a few weeks to visit a friend. I am so excited! Any tips for things to know ahead of time or things I should do while I am there? Thanks in advance! 🇹🇴


r/Tonga 3d ago

Anyone need TOP?

0 Upvotes

I'm in Ha'apai, on Uoleva now, headed to Matafonua over the weekend, and in Nuku'alofa on July 21. I withdrew too much TOP and am wondering if any travelers I could meet up with would be willing to exchange it for USD NZD euros etc, or send me the equivalent to a Wise, Revolut, Venmo, Zelle account etc...

I have about 1300 top to trade...

Thank you for considering!


r/Tonga 7d ago

Where to learn Tongan 'style' guitar?

14 Upvotes

I have tried learning on tiktok, Facebook, YouTube but there is only really info for the tuning.

I am wanting to learn Lavaka and helepelu key.

Is anyone familiar with this style of playing or know any place where I can get more knowledge?

I would go find a faikava kalapu but I think there would be a language barrier as I dont speak tongan (yet).

Any help would be appreciated, malo.


r/Tonga 10d ago

letio tonga do better🤣

6 Upvotes

malo elelei,
my papa plays his radio a lot in the house. which is fine, but i remember being a patient in hospital and my nena and papa came to the hospital for their own health appointment.

when i went on my unescorted leave i walked into the clinic and there was a CHRIS BROWN song . i think it was “under the influence “ idk. but the song was very uncomfortable. it’s not the first time i’ve heard an inappropriate song like this. it iust happened to be in public which i was like
“bruh”
palagi people were looking at us and i was like
“do i turn it down? or do i accept defeat?”

i ended up saying i gtg get my steps in. so i went and bought some food for them both.
so happy ending :)


r/Tonga 11d ago

Tonga, 1890s (approx.). A man, woman, and child in a rural settlement outside a traditional hut.

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37 Upvotes

r/Tonga 11d ago

Tonga, 1890s (approx.). Coconut palm grove in a tropical landscape

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22 Upvotes

r/Tonga 11d ago

12 May 1954. Palu Vavau Tupou (left) and Vieongo Pakair, nieces of Queen Salote of Tonga.

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14 Upvotes

r/Tonga 11d ago

Tonga. Carved wooden hook, made of wood

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11 Upvotes

r/Tonga 13d ago

Children at the Langi Tombs, Tonga

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42 Upvotes

r/Tonga 13d ago

Coastal landscape in Vavaʻu, Tonga (c. 1890s)

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27 Upvotes

r/Tonga 13d ago

Group of people dancing the Lakalaka, wearing traditional clothing. The performance is taking place in front of Queen Sālote Tupou III at the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa in Tonga.

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20 Upvotes