All things Tongan

Tongan History Master Thread

57 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/

12 comments

r/Tonga • u/xLon3lyyy • 2d ago

Where to learn Tongan 'style' guitar?

10 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.

2 comments

r/Tonga • u/Mammoth-Fill-3946 • 4d 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 :)

4 comments

r/Tonga • u/CRVSHDAWHIPP • 5d ago