# data[].attributes.headline
primary source (the only one that talks about women)

# data[].attributes.subject
primary source (the only one that talks about women)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Culture of Tonga - history, people, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social, marriage

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Culture of Tonga - history, people, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social, marriage To-Z

# data[].attributes.body
I didn't use this one a lot.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
The Ancient Capitals of the Kingdom of Tonga - UNESCO World Heritage Centre

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
In the March 2002 elections the pro-democracy Human Rights and Democracy Movement (HRDM) increased its representation in Parliament to seven of the nine people's seats and issued new proposals for constitutional reforms to strengthen democracy and reduce the powers of the King. The King reappointed Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka-Ata. Though such moves had been unsuccessful in the past, the frailty of the octogenarian King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV and uncertainty over the succession now gave them greater urgency. However, in October 2003, changes to the constitution gave greater power to the King, and increased state control over the media.

In the March 2005 election, the HRDM again won seven of the nine people's parliamentary seats, the remaining two taken by independents. In the same month two commoner and two noble representatives were appointed to cabinet.

In February 2006, Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka-Ata resigned and Dr Feleti Vaka'uta Sevele became acting Prime Minister, the first popularly elected member of the Legislative Assembly to be appointed to the post. He was then confirmed as Prime Minister in March 2006.

In September 2006 King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV (1965-2006) died after a long illness and was succeeded as head of state by his eldest son who was sworn in as King George Tupou V. In November 2006, when it seemed that Parliament would go into recess before enacting democratic reforms, pro-democracy demonstrations turned into riots and looting, at least six people died and many buildings in Nuku'alofa were destroyed. At the Prime Minister's invitation, 150 Australian and New Zealand troops and police came to Tonga to restore order, the King promised that by 2008 the majority of government posts would be filled by elected representatives rather than nobles and King's appointees, and Parliament passed the reforms.

In the elections of April 2008, with a turnout reportedly less than 50 per cent, HRDM and its ally, the People's Democratic Party, together won six of the nine contested seats and independents took three.

In July 2008 the Constitutional and Electoral Commission was established, with the immediate task of making proposals for a more democratic system of government. In the same month the King's spokesperson announced that by 2010 the King would surrender his role in government to the Prime Minister and that most Legislative Assembly members would be elected. In November 2009 the final report of the Constitutional and Electoral Commission was delivered to the Legislative Assembly; the new constitution was approved by the Legislative Assembly in April 2010 and enacted in September 2010.

In the country's first democratic elections, held on 25 November 2010, when turnout was 91 per cent, the Democratic Party of the Friendly Islands (DPFI), led by 'Akilisi Pohiva, won 12 of the 17 popularly elected seats, but remained short of a majority in the 26-seat Legislative Assembly. The remaining seats were taken by five independent people's representatives and nine nobles. The Assembly members initiated negotiations with a view to forming a new government. On 21 December 2010 a noble, Lord Tu'ivakano, was elected Prime Minister by the Assembly, defeating Pohiva by 14 votes to 12.

On 18 March 2012 King George Tupou V (2006-12) died and was succeeded as head of state by his brother, former Prime Minister (2000-06) and High Commissioner to Australia (2008-12) Crown Prince Tupouto'a Lavaka, who was sworn in as King Tupou VI.

At elections held on 27 November 2014, the DPFI - led by 'Akilisi Pohiva - won nine seats and independents eight. At the first sitting of the new Parliament, the members elected Pohiva as Prime Minister. He was supported by 15 members and former Deputy Prime Minister Samiu Vaipulu by 11.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Site designed and built by Hydrant (http://www.hydrant.co.uk)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
In the March 2002 elections the pro-democracy Human Rights and Democracy Movement (HRDM) increased its representation in Parliament to seven of the nine people's seats and issued new proposals for constitutional reforms to strengthen democracy and reduce the powers of the King. The King reappointed Prime Minister Prince 'Ulukalala Lavaka-Ata.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
Though I lived in Polynesia through the 1970s and visited numerous islands, including Tonga, and studied what archaeology was available, archaeologists and other specialists have learned much more since then. The view has developed considerably and I would refer you to this source:

...the 'Tongan maritime chiefdom', its spread across the region and its wide socio-political influence. The Tu'i Tonga chiefdom on Tongatapu has clearly been the single most influential political centre in the region over the last 500 years (Burley 1998), with the sudden development across the Fiji/West-Polynesia region of multiple monumental constructions that can be studied through archaeology. The regional data from oral traditions allow a nearly historical understanding of some of the key events surrounding the influence of the Tongan maritime 'empire' on other archipelagos and islands in terms of politics, land tenure, and exchange of goods.

This late influence of Tongatapu may have overshadowed former connections not centred on Tonga...The role of the Samoan influence in the region prior to the 15th century was debated, as were the types of political and social relations between Samoa and Tonga. Questions of chronology were also raised with a suggestion of a unification process of the Tongatapu polity around the 15th century. If this scenario is correct, it was only after that time that the Tu'i Tonga chiefdom could start expanding outside southern Tonga.

Addison, D. J., & Sand, C. (Eds.). (2008). Recent Advances in the Archaeology of the Fiji/West-Polynesia Region. University of Otago Studies of Archaeology, Department of Anthropology & Archaeology; University of Otago.

Also:

Monumentality and the materialization of ideology in Central Eastern Polynesia

The chronology of the 124/125 complex strongly supports the hypothesis that materialization of religious rituals and ideology was rapidly elaborated in the Society Islands as elites vied for political control in late prehistory. Isolated and formalized concentrations of ceremonial sites such as 124/125 served not only as elite centers, but created avenues for the development of social difference by promoting a dominant ideology.

The Tongan view:

Long before the first Europeans first came to Tonga, the Tongans were feared warriors all over the pacific and at one stage had conquered Samoa, Niue and parts of Fiji. However, around the 13th century the Tongan empire collapsed due to a number of bloody battles from upraises and internal problems back in Tonga. In 1470, the Tu'i Tonga who grew tiresome of all the routine work of controlling the affairs of the country delegated much of his day-to-day role to the Tu'i Ha'atakalaua, who was the younger brother of the then ruling King. Having delegated his powers, the Tu'i Tonga became the spiritual leader.

Some personal thoughts:

Polynesians earned the nickname Vikings of the South Pacific - they are born warriors.

Tonga is flat and thus easily damaged by violent nature, from hurricanes to earthquakes and tsunamis.

Samoan islands are mountainous.

I would think Tonga is less defensible than Samoa; in my view, Polynesians of one island are unlikely to be substantially more or less warrior-like. I therefore lean towards the suggestion that Samoa in some way may have cooperated with Tonga; I don't see Tonga just, somehow, conquering everyone else, no matter what Tongan oral history tells us.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
How powerful was the Tu'i Tonga Empire exactly? Do we have accounts of day-to-day life there?

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
Answer: Though I lived in Polynesia through the 1970s and visited numerous islands, including Tonga, and studied what archaeology was available, archaeologists and other specialists have learned much more since then. The view has developed considerably and I would refer you to this source: > ...t...

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.authors[].name
Vic Stefanu - World Travels and Adventures

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
WALLIS, the historic TONGAN FORT TALIETUMU (Wallis and Futuna, Pacific Ocean)

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.readable_text
During the time period of 600- 1450 C.E. you begin to see Polynesian culture expand and take part in the world as a whole. The Tu'i Tonga Empire was one of these cultures that conquered lands and set up tributary systems that would connect most of Polynesia. They were able to establish themselves with great leaders, strong ideas, and the urge to expand.

Before the Tonga Empire could gain power it first needed a strong a dedicated leader. These requirements where found in the first emperor of Tonga names 'Aho'eitu. Although little is known about his childhood and upbringing, his father was Tongan and his mother was Samoan. This helped him to connect with the Tongan society and the Samoan society they would later conquer. 'Aho'eitu reign began in 950 when he was able to free his people from the rule of Fiji. After gaining independence he set out to conquer the cultures that before had suppressed the Tongan people. This started that idea of expanding the empire which would lead into a tributary system. He was the founder of the empire and the one who gave it its greatest ideas.

With the very first leader of the Tongan empire you are able to see a trend that would stay with them and eventually lead to their destruction, expansion. Similar to the Roman Empire, Tonga kept conquering new land and expanding its boundaries. However this would cause them to recognize internal problems that were weakening the empire. This allowed cultures that had been under their rule to rise up and gain freedom. A political trend that the Tongan empire forced upon its new conquered cultures was a tributary system. Local leaders had to pay the king and set up trade routes that were directly linked to Tonga. This system was very similar to that of China a countries such as Vietnam.

In the Tongan culture there wasn't one particular event but rather their ideas and legacies that helped them to be a great Polynesian society. The ideas of expanding and trading with conquered lands made them extremely successful. They were able to go from a small island to an empire that stretched millions of miles and had thousands of people. There was however one event that made their existence possible and that was freeing themselves from the imperial rule of Fiji and Samoa. This started a chain reaction of events that created and sustained the Tu'i Tonga Empire.

Starting from humble beginnings the people and rulers of the Tu'i Tonga Empire were able to create a culture that would last hundreds of years. Rulers were able to expand thousands of miles and manage a complex tributary system. The Tongans had developed ideas similar to that of Rome and China although they were isolated from anything outside of Polynesia.

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.description
During the time period of 600- 1450 C.E. you begin to see Polynesian culture expand and take part in the world as a whole. The Tu'i Tonga Empire was one of these cultures that conquered lands and set up tributary systems that would connect most of Polynesia.

# data[].attributes.body
24 minutes of just clips

# data[].attributes.attachment_link.title
Tonga and fiji rulers of Polynesia Tongafisi army of fiji rulers the Fijian empire tongan