Tu'i Tonga Empire
Tu'i Tonga Empire was an empire in Polynesia (Oceania) that lasted from c. 950 to 1865 CE, about 915 years. Its people spoke Austronesian languages (Malay, Javanese, Cham, Tagalog, Malagasy, Polynesian, Maori).
Sacred kings of Tonga, ruling from Mu'a, extended their influence to Samoa, Uvea and parts of Fiji by the 13th century. Real power later passed to the Tu'i Ha'atakalaua and Tu'i Kanokupolu lines, and the title lapsed in 1865.
See Tu'i Tonga Empire on the interactive timeline
Facts
- Dates
- c. 950 to 1865 CE
- Duration
- 915 years
- Type
- Empire
- Region
- Polynesia, Oceania
- Language family
- Austronesian
- Capital
- Mu'a
Came from
Became
Events in Oceania during its time
- Polynesians settle East Polynesia
- Building of Nan Madol
- Polynesians reach New Zealand
- Duyfken lands in Australia
- Tasman reaches New Zealand
- Cook reaches Hawaii
- First Fleet lands at Sydney Cove
- Treaty of Waitangi
Neighbours in Oceania
- Saudeleur dynasty
- Colony of New South Wales
- Kingdom of Hawaii
- Colony of New Zealand
- Spanish Marianas
- French Polynesia
- Kingdom of Tonga
- French New Caledonia
- Dutch New Guinea
- Kingdom of Tahiti
Elsewhere in the world at the same time
- Republic of Venice
- Byzantine Empire
- Byzantine Empire
- Swahili city-states
- Ghana Empire (Wagadu)
- Holy Roman Empire
- Srivijaya
- Ethiopian Empire (Solomonic dynasty)
- Khmer Empire
- Ottoman Empire
Questions
When did Tu'i Tonga Empire exist?
c. 950 to 1865 CE, about 915 years. These dates are approximate, because the evidence for its beginning or end is uncertain.
Where was Tu'i Tonga Empire?
Polynesia, in Oceania. Its capital was Mu'a.
What language did Tu'i Tonga Empire speak?
Austronesian. This family includes Malay, Javanese, Cham, Tagalog, Malagasy, Polynesian, Maori.
What came before Tu'i Tonga Empire?
Ancestral Polynesian society.
What came after Tu'i Tonga Empire?
Kingdom of Tonga.