Samoa–Tonga relations

Samoa-Tonga relations

Samoa	Tonga

Samoa–Tonga relations are the bilateral relations between the Independent State of Samoa and the Kingdom of Tonga.^[1] They also interact in multilateral relations, with both of them belonging to the United Nations, the Commonwealth of Nations, and the Pacific Islands Forum.^[2]

History[]

The Tongans in Samoa The Lapita people (Polynesians) settled both Samoa and Tonga from 3,500 years ago during the Austronesian expansion to the east. Developing similar cultural identities, the islands maintained strong relations with each other. The Tui Manuʻa Empire of Samoa, which originates from the Manuʻa Island Group of the Samoan Islands, ruled over all of Tonga during the eighth century when the empire's second king, Tui Manuʻa Tele (Fitiaumua), invaded and conquered Tonga, the Cook Islands, parts of Fiji, and other pacific islands by deploying hundreds of alia (war canoes which can hold between 100 to 300 warriors).

The Tui Manuʻa Empire was dominant over Tonga for 350 years until Tonga was able to free itself and the rise of the Tuʻi Tonga Empire of Tonga began.

The first king of the new empire was Tuʻi Tonga ʻAhoʻeitu, the son of Tagaloa Aitumatupua (known in Tonga as Tangaloa ‘Eitumatupuʻa), was a Samoan paramount chief from Samoa who married a Tongan noblewoman, ʻIlaheva Vaʻepopua.

In 1050, the second Samoan invasion of Tonga took place during a mass invasion of Samoans to Tonga on Tongatapu at Lafonga during the rule of ʻAhoʻeitu (ʻAsoʻaitu in Samoan). The invasion ended in a peace treaty between the two peoples resulting in many intermarriages between Tongan and Samoan Royalty.

Samoa came into the sphere of influence of the Tuʻi Tonga Empire of Tonga in 950 as the Tui Manuʻa Empire of Samoa was declining. The Manuʻa Islands were excluded from the Tongan empire because they were considered sacred to the Tongan kings.

Many of the Tuʻi Tonga Kings married Samoan noblewomen.

In 1250, the Tuʻi Tonga Empire of Tonga began to decline during the reign of the 15th Tuʻi Tonga Talakaifaiki (known in Samoa as Tui Toga Talaʻaifeiʻi) who resided at Safotu on the Island of Savaiʻi in Samoa.

In ancient times, the Samoans had a ruler over each District and although he was called a King, he was not in control of the whole of the Islands. It was during this time that the Tongans came to and gained the mastery of Samoa. The Tongans began their rule over parts of Samoa in 950. Many of the Tuʻi Tonga (or Kings of Tonga) were very good men who showed generosity and respect to the Samoan people. The Tuʻi Tonga even gave Samoans a highly respectable status in the Tongan empire. The Samoans came to love the Tuʻi Tonga for their kindness and honored the Tongan Royalty for 400 years, then a new Tuʻi Tonga came into power who was named Talakaifaiki (Talaʻaifei’i in Samoan), the situation changed very quickly and dramatically. He was a cruel king and a cannibal. He ate Samoans and Tongans began to forcefully take Samoan women. He wanted to take control of more land in Samoa and make more Samoans submit to his control. He quickly enslaved the Samoans in Tongan controlled territory and ordered them to build forts and roads in Samoa.

There were a few moments where Samoans tried to break free from Tongan control, a young boy named Vaʻatausili was a small weak fragile boy, nobody respected him. One day, the Tongans burnt his villiage, he ran to a cave and slept there for three days and came out stronger and full of strength and revenge he tried to kill as many Tonagns as he could, but at the end he was cut down by the Tongans. Another story is where a Samoan taupou (princess) told the Tongans she would sacrifice her body, and in return, Samoa will get its freedom. The Tongans took her, but her request was never put into action, the Tongans remained in Samoa.

An old Samoan chief named Atiogie who had two sons named Fata and Tuna. Who already earned respect and honor from many of there fellow Samoans because of the great deeds they had preformed. The people of Safotu in Savaiʻi, suffered the greatest constantly being victims of the Tongan cruelty throwing Samoan slaves who didn't comply into the giant pits that they build for the Tuʻi Tonga’s amusement. When Tuʻi Tonga Talakaifaiki heard about Fata and Tuna and their popularity growing among the Samoan people in ʻUpolu and Savaiʻi, he became deeply worried for they could unite all of Samoa against him, the one weapon the Tongans could not let the Samoans to get a hold of was unity so he began to make a plan to get rid of Fata and Tuna.

One day Fata and Tuna went to Safotu pretending to visit, but they were secretly spying on the Tongan’s strongpoints and weakpoints, at the same time, there was a huge rock in the path of the Samoans slaves who were building a road cape for the Tuʻi Tonga. Talakaifaiki ordered Fata and Tuna to move the huge stone or have their lives be forfeited. So Fata and Tuna tried to move the stone by hand at first but it did not work, so they sailed to ʻUpolu and got their nephew, Ulumasui, and came back to try again. Ulumasui went to behind the village of Manase and caught an eel and octopus, as well as mud, and put it under the huge stone and began to push with his uncles Fata and Tuna and the huge stone was moved out of the way.

Tuʻi Tonga Talakaifaiki was enraged, not only did they moved the stone, but this would increase their popularity among the Samoans. Tuʻi Tonga could not kill them in fear of retaliation from the Samoans, so Fata and Tuna then returned home to ʻUpolu. Shortly after, the Tuʻi Tonga paid a visit to ʻUpolu with his followers and warriors. Fata and Tuna noticed the anchored Tongan boats at the Aʻana district on the shore of Mulifanua, and took a long pole which was a part of a toa tree and began to make their war clubs. They returned to their homes in Falelatai, and showed their people the war clubs, giving them the message it was time to take back Samoa. The people of Falelatai sent messages to many villagers around ʻUpolu and Savaiʻi, even the great legendary warriors of Manono answered their call. Fata, Tuna, Ulumasui and a Great famous war chief named Tapuloa, came up with their cunning plan.

The Tuʻi Tongaʻs birthday would be very soon, so they planned a great feast for the King and his army on the large Malae (village space) of Aleipata, and that all the Tongans were invited to the feast.

Finally the day came, and the Tuʻi Tonga and his armies of warriors arrived at the feast. The Samoans entertained the King, and the Tongans were enjoying themselves, watching sivas and eating their food. Until a signal which was a dance that started the hundreds of Samoans from many villages, coming out and having sang “Matamatame matamatame, ta Toga ta ia pe. Matamatame matamatame, ta Samoa ta ia seʻe.” The Samoans then charged towards the Tongans clashing against the unsuspected. The Tongan forces were unprepared and suffered heavy losses during the brutal fighting, even Tongans who were unarmed were brutality beaten, avenging all the Samoans who were killed during Talakaifaiki’s rule. After the battle, the Tongan forces retreated to their boats and others retreated to their forts to plan their counterattack against the Samoans, but they too were slaughtered.

The Tongan forces in Savaiʻi were savagely locked in conflict with the Samoans, until they were over run, while the Tongans in ʻUpolu put up a better defense and there were many battles and deaths mounted on both sides. But the Tongans were pushed back by mighty Samoans from the south coast, led by Fata and Ulumasui and another strong army from the north lead by Tuna and Tapuloa. The Tongans were surrounded by Samoans and they were slowly retreating out from ʻUpolu. The goal was to push the Tongans from both sides until both Samoan armies reached Fatuosofia.

Tuna and Tapuloa killed many of the retreating Tongans from the north and captured their forts, while Fata and Ulumasui pushed through the south, but was halted by a spirit demon named Lema, until they killed her and threw her head to the village of Falelatai, to show the bravery, then they kept pushing forward to Fatuosofia. Tuna and Tapuloa’s armies reached Fatuosofia first where the Tongans made their last stand, Fata and Ulumasui armies then arrived and drove the Tongans into the sea. Tuʻi Tonga Talakaifaiki then stood on a great stone which is now known as Tututala, awaiting Fata and Tuna to appear after this devastating defeat for the Tuʻi Tonga Empire of Tonga. Talakaifaiki’s anger left his body and he admired the cunning planning and courage of the Samoans, especially Fata and Tuna, he raised his hands and shouted “Malie Toa, Malie Tau! Afai e toe o’o mai Tonga, e sau i le aouliuli folau, ae le toe sau i le aouliuli tau” meaning: “Brave Warrior! Bravely have you fought! If the Tongans ever come back, it will be for a friendly visit, but never again to fight you!” and the surviving Tongans set sail back to Tonga. And those words ended the war between Samoa and Tonga. Those words are still used in oratory form for the village chiefs who address the bond between Samoa and Tonga.

Right after, Fata and Tuna argued and fought each other because both wanted the title “Malietoa” and ending up fighting, until both fell down because of exhaustion, a third brother came out named Savea (Havea in Tonga) and put one foot on each fallen brother, and prayed for them. Savea was then chosen to be the first Malietoa. And for the Samoans who sided with the Tongans, were faced with the anger of the Samoans who fought for the freedom, many Samoans left with the Tuʻi Tonga, but for the Samoans who stayed, they were tutored by Samoans and seen as traitors.

Meanwhile in Tutuila, news spread about the Samoan victory of the Tongan oppression in Savaiʻi and ʻUpolu, and the major victories in the battle of Safotu, the battle of Aleipata and the bloody push towards Fatuosofia. The Samoans of Tutuila now wanted to rise up against the Tongans as well, but they were to afraid.

Lautivunia, the brother of Tuʻi Tonga Talakaifaiki, was the administrator of the Samoans in Tutuila at the time. During this time, a great warrior named Fua’au, lived in Pago Pago where he lived with his fiancé named, Tauoloasi’i, who was the daughter of Tuiafono. One night, Tauoloasi’i was stolen away by the Tongans and was sent to Tonga, as well as his fiancé’s fine mat. Filled with enrage, he urged the Samoans of Tutuila to rise up against the Tongans, like their brethren in Savaiʻi and ʻUpolu. However, most people were still to afraid to fight against the Tongans. Even when Fua’au insisted to fight for their freedom, but their fear of the Tongans were so great, they didn't dare to start a war against them. Fua’au was disgusted and ridiculed them and said, “If you are to weak, then leave it to me, I alone will fight them all!” The Samoans felt ashamed, and finally followed Fua’aus advice. The Samoans ran into the bush to plan and gather their war clubs. When all was ready, the Samoans lead by Fua’au, clashed against the Tongans in a surprise attack at dawn. During this attack, the main Tongan fort, which was located west of Pago Pago, was burnt down, but the greatest victory for the Samoans of Tutuila was behind the village of Leone, where a great last battle was fought, the place is now known as Numiatoga. After this battle, Lautivunia and the rest of the Tongans fled back to Tonga. Later, the fall of the Tuʻi Tonga Empire of Tonga begun with other islands rising up such as Tuvalu, Tokelau, parts of Fiji, and many others because of Samoa’s actions against the Tuʻi Tonga Empire of Tonga, one such most notably is the battle of Futuna Island in ʻUvea Mo Futuna, thus giving the place where the Tongans were held refuge, the name “Nukuʻalofa” after the current capital city of Tonga.

Around 1600, a civil war erupted in Samoa on the island of ʻUpolu. Ama Lele, a Samoan war chief from the village of Lotofaga and who was leader of the Sā Ama, was defeated and left Samoa for Tonga with many of his warriors and followers.

Ama had a son named Peseta, and a daughter named Tohuʻia Limapo, engaged to the 6th Tuʻi Haʻa Takalaua Moʻunga ʻo Tonga. Limapo traveled with a large wedding party, which consisted of the Ama family and warriors under the charge of Ama Lele. Takalaua and Limapo had a son named Ngata (Gata in Samoan), whom the Samoans in Tonga, along with Tuʻi Haʻa Takalaua Moʻunga ʻo Tonga, installed as the King of Hihifo (Sisifo in Samoan) district on Tongatapu, on behalf of the Tuʻi Tonga. He was also installed as a sacred Samoan chief on Tongan soil - Tui Aʻano ʻUpolu (Tuʻi Kanokupolu - the flesh of ʻUpolu, Samoa). His district became a separate kingdom in Tonga. The Samoans introduced and implemented their traditions into the Tongan culture such as the Samoan matai system (chief system)

The Tu'i Kanokupolu are the current rulers of the Kingdom of Tonga.

See also[]

• Foreign relations of Samoa
• Foreign relations of Tonga

References[]