Tonga

The Kingdom of Tonga is a beautiful place. It is also somewhat unique in the region. It is the only sovereign monarchy among the island nations of the Pacific Ocean, has the distinction of being the only island nation in the region to have avoided formal colonization. Tonga has been ruled by some form of monarchy or Chief from at least the 12 th century. All of that history is about to change. King George Tupou V of Tonga has recently announced that he is giving up many of his powers and will introduce democracy there. This is no forced coup; the 171 island ... Read Full Story

After less than two years being crowned as Tonga’s absolute monarch, King Siaosi Tupou V will relinquish much of his powers and allow democracy onto his small Pacific nation for the first time. REUTERS/Peter Halmagy This comes as a relief for many Tongans, who have been looking for reform for years. Even the King’s late father admitted on his deathbed it was time for change in his kingdom. Teisina Fuko, president of the Tongan People’s Democratic Party, told the UK’s Daily Telegraph newspaper, “Tonga can now go ahead and develop a political party system like those seen in New Zealand and Australia.” Currently, Tonga ... Read Full Story

A Royal Commission of Inquiry into the sinking of the Tongan ferry, Princess Ashika, has been told the New Zealander who bought the vessel never looked into the state of its hull. Read Full Story

NUKUALOFA, Tonga, Aug. 15 (UPI) -- Democracy activists in the South Pacific kingdom of Tonga say King George Tupou V should not be traveling abroad so soon after a deadly ferry disaster. The New Zealand Herald reported in its Sunday edition that the king has been criticized for starting a four-month trip, which includes a visit to Scotland, following the Aug. 5 sinking of the Princess Ashika ferry with 149 people on board. Fifty-four passengers were rescued and two bodies were recovered, while 93 people remain missing and are presumed dead. Democracy activists in Tonga said the actions of Tupou, who is not expected ... Read Full Story

Richard Kurin is the Under Secretary for History, Art, and Culture here at the Smithsonian Institution. He is a cultural anthropologist specializing in the study of knowledge systems, folk arts, museums, and development. He is currently Study Leader on our Extraordinary Cultures – An Epic Journey Around the World tour, and will be blogging periodically while traveling. This post is seventh in a series. To see the other posts, click here . Dateline: Tonga Lakalaka dancers in Tonga. Photo: Richard Kurin Smithsonian curator Adrienne Kaeppler and Tongan official Albert Vaea introduced a Lakalaka program featuring a poetic and musical dance tradition designated a masterpiece ... Read Full Story