Name- Manpreet Singh

Student Id: - 0164720

Instructor- Melissa Clement

Subject- Anthro 101 102

Date- 05-07-2023

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Table of Contents

Introduction......................................................................................................................................3

The social organization of Tongans culture.....................................................................................3

Economic Structure.........................................................................................................................4

Tongans' Marriage, family, and kinship structure...........................................................................4

Overview of structure:.....................................................................................................................5

Tongans' political organization........................................................................................................5

Conclusion.......................................................................................................................................6

References........................................................................................................................................7

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About Tongans Cultural Organization

Introduction

This report involves information related to Tongan culture. Tonga is a group of islands that is
situated in the South Pacific Ocean in the north of New Zealand. Tonga is a part of the country
that developed Polynesia in the early modern period. The Tonga culture is rapidly influenced by
the political and cultural aspects of Polynesia. Though the traditions and cultures keep changing,
Tongans continuously find a way to uplift Tongans in their fast-changing traditional culture.
Tongan culture is famous for its royal heritage, Polynesia culture, and its independent nation.
After the Tongan Empire collapsed the Europeans generally made contact with the Island in the
late 1700s and 1800s. After Tonga was involved in European contact mainly by Christian
missionaries the country remain sovereign and in 1970 Tunga was contracted full independence
from all the voluntary protectorate under Britain. Tonga consists of more than 165 islands out of
which 36 islands are inhabited, the most suitable island groups are: Tongatapu, Niua, Vava'u,
and Ha'apai. This report involves all the essential information such as the organizational culture,
economic structure, political structure as well as family structure to deeply understand Tongans
culture. This report will also talk about the culture and traditions of Tongans and the practices
they include in their lifestyles.

The social organization of Tongans culture

In the social organization of Tongans, it is a structured class system completely dependent on the
prestige of the family. In the social culture, there is a separation among ideas of different social
statuses and social ranks in society. The social status position is inherited inside Tongans from
their father and the social rank among Tongans is inherited from their mother. The status
emphasis is on building relationships with the groups and rank is an emphasis on relationships
with broader society (Tacuban, 2020, November 19). Among Tongans, there are mainly three
social status categories which are: Royalty, Noble, and commoner. The time through which the
Tongan's social status or rank can be determined is through various occasions occurring in the
society, like funerals or weddings, or any social gatherings. It has been understood that Tongans

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are aware of their society and cultures by observing the people's actions depending on their class.
It is observed that Tongan society culture is collective and Tongans work in a group prioritising
the personal interest and groups interest. The social culture of Tongans also involves sharing,
especially Food, the people of Tongans share their foods with others while eating, as well as
Tongans always believe in sharing their success with their loved ones to receive blessings.

Economic Structure

The economic structure key of Tongans mainly has two centers: agriculture as well as fishing.
The major exports includes Vanilla, handicrafts, fish, as well as pumpkin grown and exported to
Japan. Agriculture helps in producing the root crops like taro, sweet potatoes, coconut, bananas,
mangoes, pineapple, watermelon, peanuts, and vegetables. In the agricultural sector abundant
cows, sheep, and goats are also present and intensive fishing is conducted which creates an
abundant fish supply. Another economic structure in Tongan is Land and properties. All land and
properties are owned by the king which is the Nobels as well as the government. Foreigners can't
own land and the owners have the right to give the land to the people who are involved in a
traditional tribute like food (scroope, chara, 2018). Any citizen who is above 16 is entitled to
lease 8 and a quarter acres of land from the government for a small amount. The tourism
industries are growing rapidly in Tongans and Tongans working abroad is one of the largest
sources of income. Therefore, the economic structure of Tongans also works on some values and
follows the involvement of culture and traditions.

Tongans' Marriage, family, and kinship structure

Marriage structure

Marriage is a sacred union in Tongan society, and the marriage certificate and stamp are also
internationally recognized. The marriage involves several steps which are as follows:

1. Courtship: It is acceptable for couples to meet before the wedding without the knowledge
of their parents.

2. Proposal: A man needs to propose but it depends on the woman whom she wants to get
married to (Marriage and family – Tonga, n.d.).

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3. Permission for marriage: The process involves permission from the bride's family.

4. Marriage ceremony: It generally takes place where the groom's side decides to. It can be
either the groom's house or any family member's house

Family structure

In Tongan society, family relations are the most important thing. The family consists mainly of
the couple and their children. The extended family includes those relatives who are living nearby
or in other villages (Tongan Culture, n.d.).

Kinship structure

The kinship structure mainly depends on the descents groups which majorly provides attention to
the extended families relationship.

Overview of structure:

1. Clans and descent groups: It belongs to matrilineal descent which is built on mothers.
Some of them also signify their fathers.

2. Residence: It involves a couple residing near the husband's family. It generally includes
husbands, wives, and their children.

3. Extended family: they hold importance in the culture. They identify themselves strongly
with their extended relatives.

Tongans' political organization

1. Constitutional monarchy: Tonga serves the king as the head of the state and commander
of armed forces. Thus, the king holds a powerful position in the system.

2. Prime ministers: they are appointed by the king and are chosen by the members of
parliament (Culture of Tonga - history, people, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social,
marriage, 2010).

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3. Parliament: Tonga contains elected parliament members who play an important role in
the political system. Along with that parliament also elects the prime minister.

4. Cabinet of ministers: they have executive power which makes Them responsible for the
working of government departments and policies of that area.

5. Local government: Tonga is divided into three islands whose administration can only be
done through the local government present through the way of town and district officials. Tonga
doesn't have any opposition or any political party. Though the monarchy system of the country
has been the source of governance of the country.

Although the political parties talk about the constitutional monarchy with the prime minister who
has been elected by the members of parliament. Further, the local government ensures the
governance at the district level and this is how Tonga is politically organized.

Conclusion

Coming to the end, Tongan's social, economic, and political spruce it has been determined that
the Organizational culture of Tongans is highly dependent on the cultures and traditions. The
activities performed by Tongans help in assisting the behaviors of individuals. Through Tongan
social structure, the nature of Tongan society is identified. The culture of Tongans also works
with a principle of showing respect to elders and prioritizing customs and traditions, not all
Tongans are the same in the Pacific island various cultures in the region practice different
cultural activities. Tongan organizational culture also prioritizes being humble and kind and
should not gossip and speak ill about anyone, the involvement of age, gender, status, and rank
has high effectiveness in the Tongan nature. The culture of Tongans provides high value to their
families, pays respect to their seniors, and maintains old traditions of storytelling. Though
modern-day Tongans are often friendly and hospitable, the culture of Tongans still works to
continuously uplift the Tongan's culture and traditions.

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References

Culture of Tonga - history, people, women, beliefs, food, customs, family, social, marriage.
(2010). Everyculture.com. https://www.everyculture.com/To-Z/Tonga.html

Marriage and family - Tonga. (n.d.). Www.everyculture.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023, from
https://www.everyculture.com/Africa-Middle-East/Tonga-Marriage-and-Family.html

scroope, chara. (2018). Tongan Culture - Core Concepts. Cultural Atlas.

https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/tongan-culture/tongan-culture-core-concepts

Tacuban, E. (2020, November 19). A Tongan Wedding: Courtship and Marriage on the Isle of
Tonga. Polynesian Cultural Center. https://polynesia.com/tongan-wedding-courtship-marriage-
isle-tonga/

Tongan Culture. (n.d.). Cultural Atlas. https://culturalatlas.sbs.com.au/tongan-culture/tongan-

culture-do-s-and-don-ts