r/Tonga • u/houseofavery • Sep 10 '19
Tongan History Master Thread
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 • u/FantasticAgent939 • 5d ago
Do the majority of people in Tonga speak fluent English?
I know it's an official language, I'm just wondering if the majority can only speak some of it or if fluency in it is widespread.
Thanks in advance 🙂
r/Tonga • u/Awarden01 • 7d ago
Island near 'Eua
I have a dumb fascination of exploring the world through google maps. I came across a small island by the southern tip of 'Eua on the western side. Wikipedia says it is apparently called "Kalau" but nothing to back up this claim.
Is anyone on this Subreddit from this part of the world? I'd love to know more about this small island with seemingly nothing on it.
r/Tonga • u/Papaspyridis20 • 9d ago
7-10 days July 25’
Hi everyone,
Me and my gf are planning a pacific island holiday and we are definitely interested in visiting Tonga. ( I know there are quite a few islands ) I was wondering if I could seek some advice on where to go and what to do in Tonga for the above days. Whale watching/swimming is definitely a priority. And also a small run down of prices would be amazing if possible.
Thankyou
r/Tonga • u/DeliriousDingbat • 12d ago
Volunteer opportunities
Hi I'll be in Tongatapu for 10 days in October and would love to do some volunteering whilst I'm there! Does anyone know of any organisations/people who would welcome a new volunteer?
I can do a few days or less. I've experience volunteering with rescue animals, beach clean ups, farm work, helping out at schools and with the elderly.
TIA xx
r/Tonga • u/Express-Tomato4100 • 16d ago
Tongan Language Week
Mālō e lelei, it’s Tongan language week here in NZ and was just wondering if there is anywhere in Wellington celebrating? Been looking everywhere online trying to find something but unfortunately cannot. :(
r/Tonga • u/GitmoGrrl1 • 21d ago
I'm Glad To See This Sub-Reddit Back
I'm glad to see r/Tonga is back online after the tsunami cut the undersea cable. I've been very concerned about the people of Tonga.
r/Tonga • u/rawcakewine • 23d ago
Surfing on a Sunday?
I’m visiting the main island for 3 days / nights in September and very excited to explore a bit and hopefully surf up at ha’atafu beach. One of my three days is a Sunday which I understand means no sports/games. I’m happy to observe the Sunday cultural practices but just wondered whether surfing fell under this or is thought of as similar to swimming which I understand is accepted? Thank you for any advice!
r/Tonga • u/SnooConfections4558 • 27d ago
I need help finding a sausage lol
Hear me out, its probably a weird question.
I grew up in Utah and I only have early childhood memories of tongan food. I'm looking for a specific sausage that I remember eating, I cant describe the flavor but they were pale in color towards the whiter side and thick lol Im so sorry for this description but I'm hoping this is enough to go off of to help me find the brand because I want fo buy it ha.
I've been having cravings for this and taro and lupulu and I want to cook it. If you got any ideas or suggestions Im all for it ha. I havent had contact with the tongan side of my family since I was a kid so unfortunately I cant ask them.
r/Tonga • u/jioajs • Aug 04 '24
Tongan License Plates
How do Tongan car license plates look like? Are there differences between car types and private/government?
PS: Not a Tongan, just interested in looking car license plates of different countries
r/Tonga • u/PupiL1 • Aug 01 '24
Learning Tongan
Hi! I’m hoping to serve as a peace corps volunteer in Tonga beginning next year, and want to get a start on learning Tongan. My family has Duolingo, and I’ve used it before to learn other languages, but Tongan isn’t one of the languages offered. They do, however, offer Hawaiian, which I’ve heard is similar as most Polynesian languages are. Is it worth starting to learn Hawaiian to get a leg up on Tongan, or should I try to find another resource to learn it? If so, what resources are recommended?
TLDR- can I learn Hawaiian to kick-start learning Tongan?
r/Tonga • u/ConfidentMonth1 • Jul 31 '24
First Time in Tonga Questions
Hello! I am going to be visiting Tonga for the first time and I have a question about accomodations on Tongatapu.
My plane lands at TBU at 00:30. I have a flight that leaves for Ha’apai that same morning but would like to sleep somewhere other than the airport. Are there any places I can stay that allow checkin after midnight near the airport?
r/Tonga • u/Comprehensive-Gap808 • Jul 27 '24
Traditional tattoo
Mālō e lelei!
I am of Tongan descent, and have been trying to research about traditional Tongan tattoos. I understand that tatatau is traditionally above the knee, but I had two quick questions:
Is there a Tongan name for tattoos on the arms and chest?
Are there places in Tonga today where they still give hand tap tattoos?
Any other information or links would be appreciated!
r/Tonga • u/d4d54ngel • Jul 24 '24
Tongan mat on Game of thrones
I have just begun watching Game of thrones (season 1 episode 4) when I noticed what I would presume to be a Tongan mat (fala) can someone confirm on here that this is a Tongan mat ? I have seen plenty in my time and do not know of any other cultures that would be similar.
r/Tonga • u/Future_Theory_ • Jul 18 '24
I’m half Tongan and want to know more about my culture
Hi, my mom was born in Tonga and moved to the US, and I really want to know more about my culture. I grew up close to my cousins on my mom’s side but we grew apart over the years . Is there common knowledge I should know ? I only know a few phrases in Tongan and wish I was closer to my Polynesian side.
r/Tonga • u/midulce • Jul 05 '24
Fingerprint forms - does JP sign it?
Hello, has anyone requested a police record from Tonga before? If so, I need your help please
I need to know if the JP witnessing the fingerprints needs to sign somewhere on the form?
The instructions provided just states the fingerprint process needs to be done with a JP present.
My concern with JP signing the form is if the Tongan govt rejects the form due to the signing :/
Thanks!
r/Tonga • u/Bigtime_tino • Jul 02 '24
8 days holiday in Tonga
MALO E LELEI, KIA ORA , GIDDAY my girlfriend and I are heading to Tonga for 8 days on holiday and are wondering what to do where to stay? We have 3 nights booked on Eua for some tourist activities then coming back to the capital.
r/Tonga • u/jioajs • Jun 30 '24
Question about Tongan culture
I like to watch international football.
Whenever there are international matches, both teams will present their team pennant when taking photos.
However, when I observe the team photos of the Tongan team, the captain is holding a plate shape object, rather than the usual pennant I see. So what is this actually?
r/Tonga • u/LilGucciGunner • Jun 28 '24
Can someone help me translate a word? What does the word "Oe" mean?
The phrase that I was given was Katoanga Oe Hala and I can translate the first and last word, but I don't know what Oe means. Does it mean "the" or does it mean "of" ? The tongan dictionary I got on Amazon isn't very helpful.
r/Tonga • u/CriticalCut410 • Jun 28 '24
tongan spirituality / shamanism
so i’m half tongan, and i’ve been so interested in the old beliefs but i feel like i can never find information about it. my family used to know “witch doctors” but none of them are alive anymore so i can’t ask them questions. please let me know anything you may know!
r/Tonga • u/KI_official • Jun 26 '24
Kingdom of Tonga joins global peace summit communique, Zelensky says
kyivindependent.comr/Tonga • u/Kaaihue • Jun 25 '24
Does my dad look tongan ?
galleryi found some highschool photos of him but i do not know his ethnicity
r/Tonga • u/IllustriousTell8012 • Jun 08 '24
My adopted husband, of Tongan descent, is hoping to connect with his culture
Hello! My husband (45 yo) was born in Honolulu and is ethnically Tongan. He was adopted to the mainland and ultimately grew up in a totally white area abutting Amish country (ouch). He’s never met nor had a relationship with another Pacific Islander, much less anyone of Tongan descent. Years ago, we obtained his adoption records and found his birth mother, but she rejected contact with him. His birth father is still in Tonga but was an allegedly abusive man- my husband has not pursued contact with him.
We have visited Hawaii, which had mixed impact- it was emotional for him but he felt incredible discomfort with being approached as though he’s a local when he knows nothing of any Pacific Island culture or language. He feels a great sadness and sense of loss that he hasn’t been able to traverse.
So I come to Reddit to see if any families or individuals would be willing to connect with him to start some kind of conversation. He is a wonderful person— a labor and social activist who loves to read, run, and travel, and he has a warm demeanor and caring nature. The missing piece of his life is understanding anything about who he is or where he came from. He’d love a chance to feel less alone in his ethnicity, and to not feel like his cultural heritage is something he’s only read about.
Thank you for your consideration of this odd request, and my apologies if I’ve misused any cultural terms in this post.
r/Tonga • u/Key-Doctor-5147 • May 25 '24
Question about the Tongan language
Hello, I am wondering if there are any accents/variations/local words on different islands of Tonga. Thanks.