Uniquely among the nations of the Pacific Islands, Tonga was never subject to European rule at any point in its history. Since the original settlement of the islands by pottery-making, seafaring colonists about 1200 BC, Tongans have been the masters of their archipelago, developing a distinctive and elegant culture. Amid rapid modernisation, the ancient kingdom has survived, along with many of the traditional ways, giving rise to Tonga's claim that it alone offers today's tourist an authentic taste of ancient Polynesia. Ian Campbell's authoritative and readable account of Tongan history tells the entire story from first settlement to the present day. This new edition is a revision of the original 1992 book, incorporating the results of new research and with an additional chapter on the last decade.
Praise for the first edition: "Tonga is unique among bibliographies in its perception and understanding, and in its affection for Tonga and its people. . . . Daly’s work stands on exceptionally sound foundations. . . . His summaries are excellent, indeed, but Daly writes always with the authority of first-hand knowledge, with a keen eye for the essential, and the ability to interpret and clarify obscurities. . . . A trustworthy introduction to Tonga in all its diversity, a splendid point de départ for all, layman or scholar, needing a reliable guide to the essential literature about this remarkable Polynesian kingdom." —Bulletin of the School of Oriental and African Studies "The book is so arranged that it is easy to locate any of the items listed. . . . I found myself spending pleasant hours perusing Daly’s comments on the different publications.. . . I hope the rumor of a second, revised edition of this bibliography is true." —Journal of the Polynesian Society Tonga is a fascinating and subtle combination of a traditional Polynesian kingdom—the only one to survive the impact of colonization in the nineteenth century and remain independent—and a thoroughly Christian country. This comprehensive bibliography is a selective guide to the most significant and accessible English-language books, papers, and articles on every aspect of the kingdom’s history, culture, arts, politics, environment, and economy. It is a much updated and expanded edition of the original version that was published in 1999 as part of the World Bibliographical Series, with the addition of more than 200 new entries. Each of the approximately 600 described and annotated items is organized under broad subject headings, and indexed by author, title, and subject. In addition—and new to this edition—all known Ph.D. theses, although not annotated, are shown within their appropriate subject categories and indexed. Also new is a section on the most important Tonga-related websites. A general introduction describes the Tongan kingdom, its history and society, and its current situation. Tonga: A New Bibliography will be an invaluable resource for anyone with a serious interest in Tonga and an indispensable volume for academic libraries, reference collections, and policy makers focused on the Pacific islands.
This book highlights the faith of the Tongan Saints from contact with our first missionaries in 1891 until the centennial commemoration held in Tonga in 1991, with an epilogue that will highlight events until the present. At that centennial commemoration, rain fell upon the Tonga Saints, and so did revelation from the mouth of Apostle Russell M. Nelson. After thanking the congregation for their "great example as Latter-day Saints," he pronounced a blessing upon the local Church members, "that from this island kingdom, faith may radiate through the entire world and affect the lives of people all over the world."
Tongan art, with its elegant sculpture, headrests, body adornment, clubs, containers, tools and fibre work, has made an outstanding contribution to the culture of Oceania. In The Art of Tonga, Keith St. Cartmail's achievement is to draw together all the strands of this island kingdom's material culture into a single volume--surprisingly no other work has done this to date. The author begins by outlining the history of Tonga, then comprehensively details all aspects of Tongan art, ancient and modern. He clearly documents the significance and widespread influence of this beautiful art work through West Polynesia, and argues that despite recent neglect, and in spite of being mutilated and destroyed by missionaries, and dispersed by collectors to all corners of the earth, Tongan art is nonetheless alive and well. Authoritative and accessible, The Art of Tonga is lavishly illustrated with superb and important examples of Tongan art from throughout its history. It is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the magnificent cultures of Oceania.
BOOK SUMMARY/SYNOPSIS: The Lives of Mafi Helu Sisifa and Sione Finau Sisifa (1910 - 1970) in the context of Time, Geography and History in the Kingdom of Tonga. ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Born in 1946, 'Ilisapesi Sisifa Weir was the third daughter of a Wesleyan Minister in the Kingdom of Tonga. She attended Tonga High School before relocating to Auckland to continue her studies. She gained a B.Sc degree from Auckland University before returning to Tonga to teach at her old school. She migrated to Melbourne, with her two daughters in 1979. She held leadership roles in both public and private secondary schools in Melbourne and in Canberra. On retiring from the education system, she studied and worked in real estate. Ilisapesi's other interests include working with the Zonta organisation in Frankston, Victoria and Canberra, ACT. She was a president of Zonta Club Canberra. She was active at the Weston Anglican Church in the ACT and is presently a warden at St Lukes Anglican Church, South Melbourne.
