The people of the Kingdom of Tonga can be very stubborn when they choose to be, or
be deeply committed to a cause depending which way you prefer to take it.
Pride runs deep, and differing situations bring forth different identities for pride,
but the common bond for Tongans are the actions of the 1st King of Tonga.
At Pouono, Vava’u, the King’s enlightment was declared in his dedication of
all of Tonga to God’s ownership and protection.
The essence of the dedication is that all humanity (at least in Tonga) are
beholden to God and under his sufference/law. Under God, all people are created
equal, and are equally responsible to God under law.
As in other feudal societies that eventually rose up to overthrow the ruling hierarchy,
the commoners/peasants were treated as no better than common cattle, animals. Unlike
other feudal societies, Tupou 1 chose to enact changes within his own authority.
It can’t be underestimated what it means to a populace to be universally
freed from emancipation, indentured servitude. Where the nobility once ruled over
life and death, they were now overseers of the King’s land, under the same
constraints/laws of the land. The people were guaranteed rights and means for
survival through explicit changes and promotions for Education and Land.
The challenges faced by King Tupou I resonates with Tonga even as it voluntarily
moved to greater autonomy (greater democratic elections) of the people from the
inherited land owners. Two things became part of Tonga’s ethos, convictions.
‘Otua mo Tonga ko hoku tofi’a
‘auha hoku kakai ko e masiva ‘ilo (Hosea 4:6)
The following pages can only be a simplification of some of the things important
to our small nation and in part reflects the bias to which the authors have been involved.
[ Research | ]
Agriculture and Aquaculture Befitting an economy dependent on subsistence production (predominantly fishing and farming), Tongans are very involved with their garden plots, the weather conditions and the fruits of the sea. Each male is entitled by law to a plot of land sufficient for planting subsistence crops, and the entrepreneurial. By that same law that gives, it can also take away. Any land not effectively ‘managed’ to produce, is liable for removal from you.
[ Biblical Studies | 7th Day Adventist | AOG | Campus Crusade | Catholocism | Church of Tonga | Free Church | Free Wesleyan | Mormons | Pacific Missions | Salvation Army | ]
Christianity and the Kingdom of Tonga The predominant religious adherence in Tonga is the Christian faith brought to the islands by European missionaries.
Although many may see the prejudicial encroachment of white man philosophy to the previously barren, untouched island cultures as removing what was once natural, the accounts of pre-written history Tonga evokes a life of choices for the privileged and fear, death for the peasants.
Education as a pillar for progress, let alone survival, is more explicit in Tonga than in more developed countries. Schools are an integral part of all of Tongan society, as if the whole country is a ‘college-town.’
At various times these schools will have Internet Presence, your mileage might vary.
Schools offering University accredited courses ‘Atenisi University Sia’atoutai Theological College University of the Nations University of the South Pacific, Tonga Centre Teachers Training College Business and Trade Schools ‘Aho Pani Lolo Community Development and Training Centre Fualo Hango Agricultural College Montfort Technical Institute St.