Tonga Pacific Island Guide: Difference between revisions

''[[Pacific Island Guide to Family History Research|Pacific Island Guide ]] >  Tonga''

Tonga - unique among Pacific nations - never completely lost its indigenous governance. The archipelagos of "The Friendly Islands" were united into a Polynesian kingdom in 1845. Tonga became a constitutional monarchy in 1875 and a British protectorate in 1900; it withdrew from the protectorate and joined the Commonwealth of Nations in 1970. Tonga remains the only monarchy in the Pacific. [[Image:Tonga.png|border|right|300px]]  

There are 170 islands in ''Tonga,'' of which 56 are inhabited. They are of coral or volcanic formation. The total land area is less than 300 square miles. About half of the land is cultivated, and the soil is very fertile. ''Tonga'' is divided into three island groups: ''Tongatapu group ''in the south, ''Ha`apai'' in the middle, and''Vava`u ''in the ''no''rth. ''Nukualofa'' is the capital, where the average temperature is 76 degrees and the humidity is 76 percent. Cyclones are possible from October to April, and the dry season is from June to November. 

The population is about 195,000. ''Nuku`alofa ''has about 35,000 inhabitants.  Tonga has close ties with ''Great Britain'', and ''Tongan ''and ''English ''are both official languages.  

About 30 percent of the people belong to the Free Wesleyan Church, which is the official state church, and the king is the head of it. The LDS Church is the next largest. About 40 percent of all Tongans are members of the LDS Church. Many Tongans have emigrated to ''Australia, New Zealand, Hawaii, Alaska'', and the mainland of the ''USA.''  

'''500 '''The islands are settled by ''Polynesians''.<br>'''1400 '''A hereditary Tongan monarchy rules over ''Tonga, Samoa, Niue, Fiji'', and others.<br>'''1470 '''The Tui Tonga becomes more of a sacred ruler and creates the Hau office. The Hau rules in governmental affairs, and is called the Ha`atakaluaua Dynasty.<br>'''1616''' Dutch navigators visit Tonga.<br>'''1777''' British Captain James Cook visits, and returns in 1777. He names Tonga the Friendly Islands.<br>'''1790''' Civil war breaks out and continues through the 1820s.<br>'''1797''' British missionaries from the Wesleyan Methodist Church arrive.<br>'''1800''' Another dynasty is formed. The high chiefs live on Tongatapu, so it is known as the Land of Chiefs, and the other islands are called the Land of Servants.<br>'''1826''' A Wesleyan Mission is established.<br>'''1831''' Taufa`ahau is converted to Christianity, chooses the name George after the King of England, and wins a struggle against the Tui Tonga. &nbsp;He is known as King George Tupou I. &nbsp;He rules Ha'apai  

'''1839''' The Wesleyans help King George Tupou I write a code of laws.<br>'''1845''' He proclaims himself King George Tupou I.&nbsp;<br>'''1852 '''King George Tupou I, after many wars, gains Tongatapu.&nbsp;The Tongan Islands are all united.<br>'''1862''' Serfdom is abolished. &nbsp;Foreigners may lease land.  

'''1867''' Tongan palace built by&nbsp;German firm J. C. Godeffroy &amp; Sohn<br>'''1875'''&nbsp;Tongan constitution is formed.  

'''1880'''&nbsp;Crown Prince's body, Tevita 'Unga, brought back to Tonga from New Zealand on German&nbsp;navy frigate Nautilus. &nbsp;Mr. Shirley Baker is chosen by King George Tupou I to be Prime Minister.  

'''1886''' Tonga and United States of America enter into a treaty of friendship<br>'''1891''' The first LDS missionaries arrive in Tonga.  

'''1893''' King George Tupou II reigns&nbsp;<br>'''1895''' LDS missionaries, Walker and Jensen arrive in Vava`u after visiting the King in Tongatapu.<br>'''1897''' A written Tongan based on the Latin alphabet is established. The alphabet includes 16 letters, plus a glottal stop, for which an apostrophe is used. All words end with a vowel sound.<br>'''1900''' With agreement between Germany, Britain, and United States, Tonga becomes a &nbsp;British protectorate.  

1958 Tonga and Britain treaty of friendship revised.<br>'''1965''' Death of Queen Salote, whose reign was marked with great progress in education and other progress for the entire population.<br>'''1968''' Her son, King Taufa`ahau Tupou IV begins his reign. First LDS Stake is created in Tonga.<br>'''1970''' The British protectorate is dissolved.<br>'''1970''' Tongan full sovereignty is restored. LDS Church membership is 14,000 in Tonga.

 

'''1977''' 100 year ratification of Tonga and Germany treaty of friendship. &nbsp;New treaty signed.<br>'''1983''' An LDS Temple is dedicated at Nuku`alofa.

 

'''1986''' Tonga and United States treaty of friendship ratified.<br>'''1990''' Dissatisfaction with corruption in high places brings unexpected victories to the Tongan Pro-Democracy party, which represents the interest of the “commoners” who believe the “nobles” are taking unfair advantage of their lifetime positions in parliament. <br>'''2000''' LDS Church membership stands at 45,000, divided between 16 stakes and a mission district.

 

 

Click "Tongan Customs and research ideas" under Step 3 in the table below &nbsp; for more information.

 

*[http://www.artsfaculty.auckland.ac.nz/special/germansintonga/?historicalbackground German and Tonga government relationship]

*[http://net.lib.byu.edu/fslab/researchoutlines/Pacific/SamoaTahitiTongaFiji.pdf BYU Research Guide for Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga]

*[[Tonga Archives and Libraries|Archives and Libraries]]

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[[Category:Tonga]] [[Category:Pacific_Island_Research|Pacific_Island_Research]]