Tuʻi Tonga Empire facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Tuʻi Tonga Empire
950s–1865
Flag (1862-1866)
Islands within the sphere of influence of the Tongan Empire
Capital	Muʻa
Government	Monarchy
Tuʻi Tonga
• 950 CE	ʻAhoʻeitu
• 1827–1865	Laufilitonga
History
• ʻAhoʻeitu brought his faction to Samoa	950s
• the title Tuʻi Tonga was abolished	1865

The Tuʻi Tonga Empire was a powerful kingdom in the Pacific Ocean. It is also called the Tongan Empire. This empire showed Tonga's growing power and influence in Oceania. It started around 950 CE and was strongest between 1200 and 1500.

The empire was based in Tonga, on the island of Tongatapu. Its main city and capital was Muʻa. Experts today agree that Tonga had a big impact on many islands. There was a lot of trade and sharing of ideas and goods across the ocean.

When Captain James Cook visited Tonga, he saw the Tuʻi Tonga kings. He wrote about them in his travel records.

History of the Empire

How the Tongan Empire Began

Around 950 AD, a new empire started to grow in the South Pacific. This happened as the Samoan Tui Manuʻa kingdom became weaker. The first Tuʻi Tonga king was named ʻAhoʻeitu. He began to expand his rule beyond Tonga.

According to Tongan history, the first Tuʻi Tonga was the son of their god Tangaloa. The Manuʻa islands in Samoa were very important to early Tongan kings. They saw these islands as the home of their gods and the first Tuʻi Tonga family.

By the time of Momo, the 10th Tuʻi Tonga, the empire was much bigger. It included many areas that used to belong to other kingdoms. Only the Manuʻa group of islands stayed under Samoan rule. To manage such a large area, the Tuʻi Tonga moved their main seat of power. It was moved to Lapaha by the lagoon in Tongatapu. The Tuʻi Tonga's influence was well-known across the Pacific. Many nearby islands traded goods and ideas with them.

Growth of the Empire (1200–1600)

The empire was at its biggest under Momo, the 10th Tuʻi Tonga, and his son Tuʻitātui. Tuʻitātui was the 11th Tuʻi Tonga. All the lands under the Tuʻi Tonga had to pay a special tribute. This tribute was called the ʻInasi. It was given every year at Muʻa after the harvest. All lands that were part of the empire had to bring gifts for the gods. The Tuʻi Tonga was seen as representing these gods. Captain James Cook saw an ʻInasi ceremony in 1777.

The Tongan Empire was strong because of its navy. The most common ships were large double-canoes. These canoes had triangular sails and could travel long distances. The biggest Tongan canoes, called kalia, could carry up to 100 men. Famous kalia included the Tongafuesia and the Lomipeau. The large navy helped Tonga become rich. A lot of trade and tribute flowed into the royal treasury.

Tongan voyages reached as far as the Tuvalu islands. Stories from Nanumea say their first ancestor came from Tonga. The people of Niutao remember Tongan warriors attacking their island in the 15th century. The Tongans were defeated in battles on the reef. Tongan invasions happened again in the late 16th century, but the Tongans were defeated each time.

During the 15th and 16th centuries, Tonga also invaded the Wallis and Futuna islands. These islands fought back in different ways. They also adopted some Tongan culture. Futuna kept more of its old culture. But Wallis (Uvea) changed a lot in its society, language, and culture.

Decline and New Dynasties

The Tuʻi Tonga Empire started to decline because of many wars. There were also problems within the kingdom. In the 13th or 14th centuries, the Samoans pushed the Tongans out of their lands. This happened after Tuʻi Tonga Talakaifaiki was defeated by the brothers Tuna, Fata, and Savea. These brothers were the ancestors of the Malietoa family.

To help manage the empire, a group of political advisors called the falefā was created. They helped keep control over other islands for a while. But people became more unhappy, and several rulers were killed. Important kings like Havea I, Havea II, and Takalaua were known for being unfair. In 1535, Takalaua was killed while swimming in the lagoon at Muʻa. His son, Kauʻulufonua I, chased the killers all the way to ʻUvea and killed them.

Because so many Tuʻi Tonga kings were attacked, Kauʻulufonua created a new ruling family. This was called the Ha'a Takalaua. He gave his brother, Moʻungamotuʻa, the title of Tuʻi Haʻatakalaua. This new family was in charge of the daily running of the empire. The Tuʻi Tonga king became more of a spiritual leader. He still had the final say in important matters. During this time, the Tuʻi Tonga kings became more connected to Samoa. They married Samoan women and lived in Samoa.

Samoan Influence and the Tuʻi Kanokupolu

A Samoan noblewoman named Tohuʻia Limapo married a Tongan chief. This marriage connected the Tongan royal family to Samoa. Tohuʻia Limapo traveled to Tonga with a large group for her wedding.

Their son was named Ngata. In 1610, the 6th Tuʻi Haʻa Takalaua, Moʻungatonga, created a new position for Ngata. This new title was Tuʻi Kanokupolu. This meant that power was shared between the two ruling families. Over time, the Tuʻi Kanokupolu became more powerful in Tonga. The title "Tuʻi Kanokupolu" means "Heart of Upolu." This showed respect for Ngata's Samoan mother.

The Tuʻi Kanokupolu family brought many Samoan customs and titles to Tonga. Some Tongan scholars say that this "Samoanized" way of government is still seen in modern Tonga. The first Europeans arrived in 1616. Dutch explorers Willem Schouten and Jacob Le Maire saw Tongans in a canoe. Later, Abel Tasman sailed past the islands in 1643. These visits were short and did not change the islands much.

The old coastal road, Hala Fonua moa, divided the two main groups of chiefs. Chiefs linked to the Tuʻi Tonga are still called Kau Hala ʻUta (inland road people). Those from the Tuʻi Kanokupolu are known as the Kau Hala Lalo (low road people).

What We Know Today

Modern studies of old sites, people, and languages confirm Tonga's wide cultural influence. This influence reached islands like ʻUvea, Rotuma, Futuna, Samoa, and Niue. It also reached parts of Micronesia, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia. Some experts call it a "maritime chiefdom." Others say "empire" is still the best word, even if it was different from other empires.

See also

• History of Tonga
• Early history of Tonga
• Thalassocracy