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Tu’i Tongan Lapaha: A Sacred Power
The kingdom of Tonga incorporates three main island groups; Tongatapu, Ha’apai and Vava’u,
including 169 islands in total. In the twelfth century the twelfth Tu’i Tonga chief, Talatama, moved
Map of the Polynesian triangle (dashed line) and the Tonga Islands (black line)
Clark, Geoffery, David Burley, Tim Murray. “Monumentality and the development of the Tongan maritime chiefdom.” Antiquity 28 (2008): 994-1008.
the capital from Heketā to Mu’a.1 Tongatapu was physically the smallest capital in the Polynesian
triangle, but was influentially the largest. Mu’a became the site of international trade and home to
the leading Polynesian royal lineage for the next four hundred years. Through architecture, maritime
voyage and symbolism the Tu’i Tonga chief’s established a political and trade dominance. There
were three main architectural features created at Mu’a to form this power; the ditch, the
reclamation and the tombs, which I will explore.
1
To’a Moa, Bruce Sione. “Langi Royal Tombs: the beginning of Tu'i Tonga architecture.” Master’s thesis, The
University of Auckland, 2001.
Surrounding Olotele at Lapaha was the once
great ditch.2 Measuring seven to ten metres
wide, two to three metres deep and with a
total length of over three kilometres, this
mammoth earth removal task was a glorious
historic feat.3 This initial architectural feature
of the landscape was commissioned by the
thirteenth Tu’i Tonga, sometime between
1310 and 1440AD.4
Removing approximately 28,000 tons of
limestone would have taken a massive amount
of labour, which the local community assisted
Layout and key features of Lapaha
Clark, Geoffery, David Burley, Tim Murray. “Monumentality and the
development of the Tongan maritime chiefdom.” Antiquity 28 (2008): 9941008.
with.5 The project may have been overseen by
the Ha’a Tufunga, the Tu’i Tonga’s expert
craftsmen.6 It is not stated how the ditch was formed, so I assume there was no innovative
technology involved. It is not clear when the ditch was completed for use, but by 1500 to 1550 the
first infill was made for tomb J04.7 Since then it has been filled and covered by modern roads and
houses.8
2
Clark, Geoffery, David Burley, Tim Murray. “Monumentality and the development of the Tongan maritime
chiefdom.” Antiquity 28 (2008): 994-1008.
3
th
th
Clark., 1001. Hawarden, Rosanne, Bruce Alexander, Corey Schab. “Survey of 12 to 15 century wharf
structure and House of the Concubines Mua/Lapaha, Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga.” Bulletin of the
Australasian Institute for Maritime Archaeology 35 (2011): 50-66
4
Clark, 1002. Hawarden, 52.
5
Clark, 1003.
6
To’a Moa.
7
Clark, 1002.
8
Ibid., 1002.
There has been much speculation between archaeologists on the purpose of the ditch. Originally
thought to be a defensive structure, it was found to lack key architectural features of be one.9 Since
then it has been found to have been a fresh water supply to the island that doesn’t have any.10 It has
also been suggested that it was used to flush the harbour of silt, as it terminates at the old shoreline.
Similar techniques were used in the Mediterranean.11 Additionally it could have been used for
transportation of people, goods and materials
considering the size.12
It is not known what the cultural meaning of
the ditch was. I would say from the potential
uses of it, it could have represented safety,
survival, maintenance or transport. There are
Ditch-waterway, north-east end
Clark, Geoffery, David Burley, Tim Murray. “Monumentality and the
development of the Tongan maritime chiefdom.” Antiquity 28 (2008): 9941008.
also the possibility that sunken roads in
Uoleva and Vavau Islands could have been
similar canal systems, currently unidentified.13
This initial monumental architectural feature of the Lapaha area truly signifies the beginning of an
imperative era in Tongan maritime chiefdom and political
power.
It is thought that with the ditch ending at the old shoreline, it
was built before the massive reclamation. Carbon dating
shows the reclamation began between 1430 and 1450, and
was completed between 1650 and 1670. It may have been in
use whilst being built.14 Through archaeological excavation it
9
Hawarden, 53.
Clark, 1002.
11
Hawarden, 53.
12
Ibid., 53.
13
Ibid., 53.
10
Cross section of material in reclamation
Clark, Geoffery, David Burley, Tim Murray.
“Monumentality and the development of the
Tongan maritime chiefdom.” Antiquity 28 (2008):
994-1008.
has been found that the reclamation is made up of layers of coral sealed by soil with layers of
limestone sealed with soil on top; however the wharfs were constructed differently.15 They are
made of coral boulders and slabs of beach rock, covered by soil and sand.16 This material is
estimated to be around 100,000m3 of fill, and was likely constructed by the community and the Ha’a
Tufunga. The fourteenth or fifteenth Tu’i Tonga’s massive architectural commission displays a
refined knowledge of harbour engineering and construction.17
It seems the original purpose for the reclamations was the need to establish the area as a political
centre through monumentality and the ‘inasi ceremony. The ceremony was started by the twelfth
Tu’i Tonga to establish Mu’a as a political centre in the Pacific.18 Chiefs from many of the Polynesian
triangle Islands came to make offerings, signifying the area as a place of authority and trade.19 Over
time Lapaha became a base of international trade between all islands.20
For the Polynesian peoples the largest form of transport was canoe. This peak in maritime utility was
highly influential over three of the main architectural features of the reclamation; the wharfs, the
moles and the inlet.21 There was a great need for these key features due to the lack of natural
docking in the area.22 The moles to the north and south of Lapaha give protection from currents,
winds and waves whilst the canoes docked at either the north or south wharf to drop off goods and
people. After the canoe was unloaded it was taken to Muiutuloa, an inlet to protect canoes while
they stayed.23 The reclamation is still at Lapaha; although the northern mole has been modified, the
northern wharf has eroded and the use of the land has changed.24
14
Clark, 1001. Hawarden, 53.
Ibid, 1001.
16
Hawarden, 53.
17
Ibid., 53.
18
To’a Moa.
19
Ibid.
20
Clark, 1001.
21
Ibid, 1001.Hawarden, 53.
22
To’a Moa.
23
Clark, 1001. Hawarden, 53. To’a Moa.
24
Hawarden, 59.
15
This massive reclamation shows an extremely important era in both Tongan maritime and political
dominance, and architectural monumentality capabilities of the time.
Throughout both of the colossal projects the Tu’i Tonga initiated, there was the continuous
construction of tombs on the Langi burial ground.
McKern 1929, pg 35.
Since the first tomb was built, J09 in 1160AD, the site at Lapaha has continued to be in use and be
sacred.25 The highly skilled craftsmen, Ha’a Tufunga, built high precision monuments for the Tu’i
Tonga chiefs at the height of their rein.26 Six
different
forms of tomb have
been
identified; although they vary in volume,
area,
height,
materiality,
architectural
features and placement.27 Each site is
chosen for its’ view and breeze for when
the chief’s spirit sits atop to tomb, but it is
Slab retrieval process
Dirk H. R. Spennerman, 1990, appendix 3, p96
25
Clark, 1006.
Clark, 996. Hawarden, 59.
27
To’a Moa.
26
uncertain why there is variation in the other
components of the tombs.28 I think the most likely reason is personal preference of the chief;
although limitations in resources could also contribute.
Archaeological excavation has extracted the knowledge of two key steps in the construction process;
retrieving, and placing bedrock slabs. Firstly, the lead mason marks out the area of bedrock to cut at
low tide. Basalt tools are used to cut out and lever the rock so rope can be threaded underneath.
The rope is attached to canoes, and as the tide rises they lift and slab. Manoeuvring the slab through
the water, it is bought to the shore where it is dragged on land. The slab is then dragged to site
where the trench is dug with sloping sides. The slabs are aligned through wedging and dressing
where beach rock, and coral fragments hold the slabs in place. In some tombs the fragments are
used as decorations or the bedrock is decorated with carvings.29
To’a Moa, Bruce Sione. “Langi Royal Tombs: the beginning of Tu'i Tonga architecture.” Master’s thesis, The University of Auckland, 2001.
The tombs hold the bodies of the chief, his wife, and children; but also used to signify semi-divinity
the chiefs had. The articulation of architecture symbolised hierarchy, divinity, and the connection to
the three main aspects of Tongan culture through vertical and horizontal features. Burial connects to
the underworld, Lolofonua, verticality connects to the sky, Langi, and horizontality connects to
highest divinity, Pulotu. For commoners the process only involved the connection to the underworld
28
29
Ibid.
Clark, 998. To’a Moa.
by being buried. Through these architectural features the power difference between commoners
and chiefs was established.30
The construction of the tombs affected quite a large area of the Pacific. Although the bedrock was
quarried from the local beach, the volcanic rock came from Uvea possibly through the ‘inasi
ceremony. There have also been similar mounds found on Niuatoputapu, and throughout the three
main island groups of Tonga; Ha’apai, Tongatapu and Vava’u.31
The most elaborate tomb displaying the height of monumentality
To’a Moa, Bruce Sione. “Langi Royal Tombs: the beginning of Tu'i Tonga architecture.” Master’s thesis, The University of Auckland, 2001.
Through planning and knowledge of construction and symbolism, these tombs have a massive
impact. Past local and international people were placed in a hierarchal system, and the impression
they continue to give today shows how authoritative the Tu’i Tonga were.
This trend toward monumentality, and dominance through symbolism, and architecture is the
reason this new capital became the most important of its time. It could also be why the Tongan
Royal Family is one of the last royal families of the Polynesian triangle. The manipulation of the
landscape made the area essential in providing much needed resources and important docking that
the natural landscape lacked. Through innovative moving and structural techniques and the strong
symbolism associated with the tombs, some of the features can be found spread throughout the
Tongan kingdom as the royal family moved throughout the centuries.
30
31
To’a Moa.
Ibid.
Although much more archaeological, cultural, and architectural study is needed in the area, what
has been done gives a strong indication of not only the activity and culture of the immediate area,
but the activity and culture of the Polynesian triangle as a whole. The tactics and influence of the
Tu’i Tonga chiefdom is awe inspiring; historically, presently, and continually into the future.