Tonga National Museum

Last updated • 3 min readFrom Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia
Tonga National Museum
Tonga National Museum
Formation1998
TypeGovernmental organisation
PurposeCulture and heritage
Official language
Tongan

The Tonga National Museum is a national museum located in Nukuʻalofa, Tonga.

Contents

Background

The Tonga National Museum was established in 1998. [1] Prior to its opening, displays of artefacts were held in the Tonga National Cultural Centre. [2] Soon after its establishment, it was hoped that Tongan objects from across the world would be loaned back to the country for display, and that the TNM would be able to export touring exhibitions globally. [3]

The first exhibition to be held at the museum was entitled 'From the Stone Age to the Space Age in 200 Years: Tongan Art and Society on the Eve of the Millennium' which opened on 4 July 1998. [4] It was curated by Adrienne Kaeppler and featured objects on loan from institutions in the US, as well as Fiji, and Tonga's own collections. [4] It also included objects from Princess Pilulevu Tuita's private collection. [4] The exhibition also included shoes made of fau (hibiscus fibre) worn by Queen Salote to the coronation of Elizabeth II in 1953. [4]

Collection

Tu'i Malila TuiMalila.jpg
Tu'i Malila

Tonga National Museum has a wide-ranging collection, including models of indigenous boats, photographs and objects relating to the royal family. [5] It also has an archaeological collection of Lapita culture ceramics. [6] It also holds a collection of material relating to Tonga traditional textiles, including several kupesi tui. [7] The museum has a focus on historical and contemporary Tongan works of art. [8]

The collection also includes Tu'i Malila, a radiated tortoise who reportedly lived to 189 years old and had been given as a gift to the king of Tonga by James Cook. [9] Tu'i Malila died in 1966 and was preserved as a taxidermy specimen in the lobby of the International Dateline Hotel until they were transferred to the museum. [9]

Closure

The museum closed to the public due to a lack of funding.[ when? ] [1] Its collections were transferred to Tupou College Museum. [1] By 2014 there were calls for the museum to be re-established - in particular as a home for archaeological archives. [10]

Revival

In 2017 a project began to explore the possibility of reopening the museum. It was supported by the then Minister of Tourism, Semisi Sika, curator Kolokesa Māhina-Tuai and sculptors Tui’one Pulotu & Steven Fehoko, amongst others. [11] A feasibility study demonstrated that there was a need to re-establish the institution. [11] The redevelopment was funded by the Ministry of Tourism. [11] In 2017 staff from Tonga visited Fiji Museum for training in museum management. [12]

The Tonga National Museum was reopened on 30 October 2020 by HRH Salote Pilolevu Mafile’o Tuita at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall. [11] [13] She gave a speech stating that the national museum has a key role in preserving the heritage of Tonga. [14] Collectors Mark and Carolyn Blackburn loaned objects from their private collection to the museum for the reopening. [15]

Administration

The CEO is Sione Moala Mafi. [14] As of 2020, the museum was open five days per week, from Monday to Friday. [16] The museum is run by staff from the Culture Division of the Ministry of Tourism and Heritage. [17] [11]

Location

The Tonga National Museum is located in Nuku'alofa; it is close to the Tonga National Cultural Centre and Tonga Botanical Gardens. [18]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">History of Tonga</span>

The history of Tonga is recorded since the ninth century BC, when seafarers associated with the Lapita diaspora first settled the islands which now make up the Kingdom of Tonga. Along with Fiji and Samoa, the area served as a gateway into the rest of the Pacific region known as Polynesia. Ancient Tongan mythologies recorded by early European explorers report the islands of 'Ata and Tongatapu as the first islands having been hauled to the surface from the deep ocean by Maui.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV</span> King of Tonga from 1965 to 2006

Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV was King of Tonga from 1965 until his death in 2006. He was the tallest and heaviest Tongan monarch, weighing 209.5 kg (462 lb) and measuring 196 cm.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sālote Tupou III</span> Queen of Tonga from 1918 to 1965

Sālote Tupou III was Queen of Tonga from 1918 to her death in 1965. She reigned for nearly 48 years, the longest of any Tongan monarch. She was well known for her height, standing 6 ft 3 in tall in her prime.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">George Tupou II</span> King of Tonga from 1893 to 1918

George Tupou II was the King of Tonga from 18 February 1893 until his death. He was officially crowned at Nukuʻalofa, on 17 March 1893. He was also the 20th Tuʻi Kanokupolu.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tu'i Malila</span> Radiated tortoise (1777–1966)

Tu'i Malila was a tortoise that Captain James Cook was traditionally said to have given to the royal family of Tonga. She was a female radiated tortoise from Madagascar. Although believed to have been a male during its life, examination after the tortoise's death suggested it was female.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tuʻi Tonga Empire</span> Empire based in Oceania during around 950s-1865

The Tuʻi Tonga Empire, or Tongan Empire, are descriptions sometimes given to Tongan expansionism and projected hegemony in Oceania which began around 950 CE, reaching its peak during the period 1200–1500.

Kolonga is a village and the most populated settlement located on the northeast coast of Tongatapu in the Hahake District, Kingdom of Tonga. Kolonga is a hereditary estate of Lord Nuku.

The order of succession to the throne of Tonga is laid down in the 1875 constitution. The crown descends according to male-preference cognatic primogeniture. Only legitimate descendants through legitimate line of King George Tupou I's son and grandson, Crown Prince Tēvita ʻUnga and Prince ʻUelingatoni Ngū, are entitled to succeed. A person loses their right of succession and deprives their descendants of their right of succession if he or she marries without the monarch's permission.

The Tuʻipelehake is one of the highest ranking chiefly titles in Tonga. In the absence of the ancient Tuʻi Faleua title, the Tuʻipelehake title is a high title due to, Tuʻi Kanokupolu. There have been several holders of the title mainly from the ruling royal family, from princes to prime ministers. It is Tongan custom to refer to the holder by his customary title, only adding his given name if confusion may arise. For example, Tuʻi Pelehake (ʻUluvalu).

The People of Paradise is a six-part documentary film series produced and presented by David Attenborough. The series exhibits the people and geography of Oceania; particularly, of Fiji and Tonga. BBC Television Service transmitted The People of Paradise in 1960.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Siosaʻia Maʻulupekotofa Tuita</span> Tongan Noble and government minister

Siosa'ia Ma'ulupekotofa Tuita is a Tongan royal and diplomat. He is the current Chief Tuita, Lord Tuita.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Salote Mafileʻo Pilolevu Tuita</span> Princess Royal of Tonga

Princess Royal Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu, The Honourable Lady Tuita is a Tongan princess and member of the Tongan royal family.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho</span> Queen of Tonga since 2012

Nanasipauʻu Tukuʻaho is Queen of Tonga as the wife of King Tupou VI.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala</span> Crown prince of Tonga

Siaosi (George) Manumataongo ʻAlaivahamamaʻo ʻAhoʻeitu Konstantin Tukuʻaho is the crown prince of Tonga. Tupoutoʻa ʻUlukalala became heir apparent to the throne in March 2012 upon the accession of his father, Tupou VI, as King of Tonga.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Vuna Takitakimālohi</span> Crown Prince of Tonga

Siaosi Vuna Takitakimālohi was a Prince of Tonga, the only legitimate son and heir to King George Tupou I.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sālote Lupepauʻu</span> Queen consort of Tonga

Sālote Lupepauʻu was Queen of Tonga from 1845 to 1889 as the wife of George Tupou I. She was the namesake of the Queen Salote College.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">ʻAnaseini Takipō</span> Queen consort of Tonga

ʻAnaseini Takipō Afuhaʻamango was Queen of Tonga from 1909 to 1918 as the second wife of George Tupou II. Her name was also often rendered as Ana Seini Takipo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lavinia Veiongo</span> Queen Consort of Tonga from 1899–1902

Lavinia Veiongo Fotu was Queen of Tonga from 1899 to 1902 as the first wife of George Tupou II.

Prince Fatafehi ʻAlaivahamamaʻo Tukuʻaho, styled Lord Maʻatu, was a member of the Tongan royal family.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Daly, Martin (2009-02-04). Tonga: A New Bibliography. University of Hawaii Press. p. 237. ISBN   978-0-8248-6523-8.
  2. Cartmail, Keith St (1997-10-01). The Art of Tonga. University of Hawaii Press. ISBN   978-0-8248-1972-9.
  3. Kaeppler, Adrienne Lois (1999). From the Stone Age to the Space Age in 200 Years: Tongan Art and Society on the Eve of the Millennium. Tongan National Museum. ISBN   978-982-9005-01-4.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Scothern, Hilary (1999). "Review of From the Stone Age to the Space Age in 200 Years: Tongan Art and Society on the Eve of the Millennium". Pacific Arts (19/20): 111–114. ISSN   1018-4252. JSTOR   23411149.
  5. Asleson, Kate (2011). Tonga (Other Places Travel Guide). Other Places Publishing. ISBN   978-0-9822619-4-1.
  6. Art AsiaPacific Almanac. Art AsiaPacific. 2010.
  7. Koya Vaka’uta C.F (2017). Tapa Culture: Ancient Knowledge: Sacred Spaces, In Tapa: from SoutheastAsia to Polynesia, Ed. Charleux, Paris: M, Au Vent des Îles Publications, pp.238 – 288.
  8. TRADE POLICY REVIEW REPORT BY TONGA (PDF). World Trade Organisation. 2021.
  9. 1 2 Castellano, Christina; Rhodin, Anders; Ogle, Michael; Mittermeier, Russell; Randriamahazo, Herilala; Hudson, Rick; Lewis, Richard, eds. (2013-11-27). Turtles on the Brink in Madagascar: Proceedings of Two Workshops on the Status, Conservation, and Biology of Malagasy Tortoises and Freshwater Turtles. Chelonian Research Monographs. Vol. 6 (First ed.). Chelonian Research Foundation. doi:10.3854/crm.6.a02p17. ISBN   978-0-9910368-0-6. Archived from the original on 2023-06-08.
  10. "Call for Tonga museum to showcase Polynesian history". www.abc.net.au. 2014-08-04. Retrieved 2021-07-16.
  11. 1 2 3 4 5 admin (2020-10-29). "Tonga National Museum revived to display past and present artifacts". FĀNGONGO Media Watch. Archived from the original on 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2023-12-08.
  12. "Fiji hosts Tonga National Museum specialists". Loop Tonga. 2017. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  13. "Princess Pilolevu opens National Museum". Matangitonga. 2020-10-30. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  14. 1 2 Media, VPON (2020-10-31). "HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita re-opens Tonga National Museum". VPON Media / Tonga Latest Political News. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  15. "Broken Promises, Dirty Dealings by Tongan Government". 30 June 2017. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  16. "Ministry of Tourism Tonga, 'Api Ko Lata'anga, Nuku'alofa (2021)". www.govserv.org. Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  17. "National Museum to be reopened – TBC" . Retrieved 2021-07-15.
  18. "Tonga National Cultural Centre » The Kingdom Of Tonga". thekingdomoftonga.com. Retrieved 2021-07-15.

21°08′01″S175°12′01″W / 21.1335°S 175.2002°W / -21.1335; -175.2002