Who Are the Tongans?

Tongans are the indigenous Polynesian people of the Kingdom of Tonga (169 South Pacific islands). Settled ~1000 BCE, they maintain a vibrant culture centered on family, respect, Christianity (mostly Methodist), and the Tongan language (faka-Tonga). Diaspora communities thrive in NZ, Australia, USA, and Fiji. Renowned for navigation, tapa cloth, dance, and rugby.