- Tonga is an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean located between Hawaii and New Zealand, consisting of 176 islands divided into three main groups, with the largest being Tongatapu which contains the capital city of Nukualofa. - The islands have a tropical climate suitable for growing crops and the people rely on both agriculture and fishing as their main livelihoods. Traditional artforms like mat weaving and tattooing remain an important part of Tongan culture.

2. Located in Oceania, Tonga is
an archipelago in the South
Pacific Ocean, directly south
of Western Samoa and about
two-thirds of the way from
Hawaii to New Zealand. Its
176 islands, 36 of them
inhabited, are divided into
three main groups –
Vava'u, Ha'apai, and
Tongatapu –The largest
island, Tongatapu, on which
the capital city of Nukualofa
is located.

3. ULARY
Hello: Malo e lelei
Good bye : Nofo a
How are you: fefe hake
alright: saipe
Thank you: Malo
Please: Kataki
Sorry: fakamolemole
Excuse me: Tulou

4. Mat-weaving Tattooing
Woven mats Tongan males
serve a variety were often
of purposes, from heavily tattooed.
the ordinary to In Captain Cook's
the ceremonial. time only the
Many woven Tuʻi Tonga (king)
mats are passed was not. Later it
down from became the habit
generation to that a young
generation, the Tuʻi Tonga went
mats in the to Samoa to be
palace that form tattooed there.
the true crown
jewels of Tonga.

5. Early visitors, such as Western church music and
Captain Cook in the Western classical and
1770s, and William Mariner popular music would then
in the 19th century, describe start to mingle with the
traditional dance pure Tongan
performances featuring music, resulting in the often
singing and drumming. hybrid music of
contemporary Tonga. Now
popular guitar styles are
used throughout Tonga too.

6. - Traditional songs, passed down over the
generations, are still sung at chiefly
ceremonies.
- Some ancient dances are still performed, such
as ula, ʻotuhaka and meʻetuʻupaki.
- different types of dances such are Kailao,
Lakalaka, Ma’ulu’ulu, Mako, meʻetuʻupaki,
ʻotuhaka, soke, tau’olunga, and the ula

7. Tongan food is made up of foods from
the land and the sea. Tongan people are
hunter and gatherers of land and sea.
Because of Tonga's beautiful tropical
weather, we have allot of rain and
sunshine. This type of weather
environment is perfect for cultivation.
The soil has deposits of volcanic
ash, this contributes to a very fertile
soil. A lot of land Tongan foods are
made up of different root crops, it's a
substitute for your common potatoes.

8. The Festivals and Events in Tonga
are celebrated with great pomp
and fervour throughout the
country. Both the Christians and
the non-Christians celebrate the
Christmas in Tonga with great
enthusiasm and fervour.
The most renowned Festivals and
Events in Tonga include the Crown
Prince’s Birthday, Boxing
Day, Easter Monday, Anzac
Day, Good Friday, Constitution
Day, and the Emancipation Day.
The New Year is also reckoned as
one of the most famous Festivals
and Events in Tonga.

9. THIS AND THAT
If you are invited by a Tongan
family to join them having a meal,
be prepared to sit on the floor and
to eat with
your fingers. Prior to each meal
somebody says a prayer. Watch
your host and follow his actions.
Tongans like to have some fun
with the tourists - if any story told
to you seems not very plausible,
you better ask another source!

10. 'Eua Island is the
oldest island in the
Tonga it is 40 million
years older and has
some great
myths, legends and
stories. Below are just
a few for your
enjoyment.

11. Nested in the South
Pacific, the Kingdom of
Tonga is the 'True South
Pacific'. With over 170
islands, there's plenty to
do for every traveller.
From historic tours
around Tongatapu, to
adventure activities
and water sports like
diving and whale
watching, to staying in
a boutique hotel on the
stunning islands of
Vava'u, you'll find it all
here. This is the official
site of the Ministry of
Tourism / Tonga
Visitors Bureau.