History Nukuʻalofa

the first recorded map of tongataboo harbour sketched captain cook in 1777. map shows bay of nuku alofa , anchored position near pangaimotu. small islands of nuku alofa named phonetic spelling, including atata, pangaimotu, makaha a, , fetoa.

the first written record nuku alofa stated in first dedicated book tonga george vason published in 1810. george vason english missionary london missionary society, arrived in tonga in 1797. george vason wrote of arrival that:

before come anchor, ship surrounded natives, flocked every adjacent island. place, before anchored, called noogollefa: near island, named bonghy-moddoo; on former navigators pitched tents, convenient spot, on account of separation main island, preserve being incommoded natives. first mention of nuku alofa, spelled noogoollefa. pangaimotu spelled bongy-moddoo george vason since tongan writing , alphabet developed in 1826-27.

the second oldest book dedicated tonga william mariner, adopted son of finau ulukalala, published in 1817. mariner described experiences during years adopted son of ulukalala (1806–1810). described civil war , siege of fort of nuku alofa, fell ulukalala , warriors.

the third attempt of christian missionaries recorded in april 1826, when 2 tahitian london missionaries detained tupou chief of nuku alofa.

in march 1826, 4 men left tahiti in minerva, destination fiji. @ nuku’alofa, tonga, plans disrupted high chief tupou (aleamotu’a). davies’ perspective tahitian placed under detention @ tongatapu: “the chief called tupou not let them proceed. had been himself resident in lageba , calls himself friend of tuineau, chief of lageba , such took possession of present intended fijian chief .

the arrival of methodist missionaries in nuku alofa in 1827 reinforced christian faith. persecution suffered christians in hihifo , hahake forced lot of people seek refuge in nuku alofa. encouragement of tupou, king of nuku alofa, beginning of expanding of nuku alofa become major center of christianity in tonga.

the exploring expedition met king josiah (aleamotu a) in 1840.

the final phase of arrival of christianity in tonga arrival of father chevron, or patele sevelo, in 1842. wrote arrived in nuku alofa in 1842 , met tu kanokupolu aleamotu baptised wesleyan sosaia.

in conclusion, these arrival turned nuku alofa small village , fort center of tonga during arrival of christianity.

from earliest record nuku alofa, writer refer settlement noogollefa (1797), nioocalofa (1806), nukualofa (1826 methodist) , noukou-alofa (1842 french catholic priest). there no other mention of other name of settlement of settlement or fort of nuku alofa.

capital of kingdom of tonga (1875 , later)

the declaration of constitution of tonga in 1875 formalised nuku alofa capital of tonga. king george taufa ahau tupou issued constitution of tonga on 4 november 1875, in nuku alofa. constitution stated (article 38) parliament meet in nuku alofa except in time of war.

since nuku alofa have been expanding when became center of christianity in tonga in 19th century, became essential reorganised effective administration of capital. reorganisation of nuku alofa divided nuku alofa 3 major district areas:

royal palace of tonga



kolomotu (kolo meaning town or settlement , motu meaning old ), encompassing city s original settlement @ old fort of nukualofa, including area of tavatu utolu (longolongo), sopu o vave (now sopu o taufa ahau), tongata eapa, tufuenga, kapeta , western area traditional settlement of tu kanokupolu mumui 13th tu kanokupolu aleamotu 18th tu kanokupolu.
kolofo ou (fo ou meaning new ). area started vaha akolo road , eastern side ma ufanga include palace of king george taufa ahau tupou , seat of government, new settlement of fasi moe afi tungi, malie taha (one mile), ngele ia old settlement during civil wars , taufa ahau , warriors destroy settlement. taufa ahau settled in kau tautahi (sea-warlords) in nuku alofa protection , security enemies , named area kolofo ou (newtown or newsettling). happened after burn down , fall of takai s fortress of pea in command of son moeakiola in 1852. same time taufa ahau moved capital kolofo ou, nuku alofa after ruled , reigned pangai, ha apai since 1845.
ma ufanga, on eastern side of nuku alofa. ma ufanga old village of ha takalaua, estate of chief fakafanua. george vason mentioned ma ufanga refugees area during civil war, people take shelter in time of hardship. ma ufanga area facing pangaimotu, james cook anchored, , paulaho built him house on beach, 500 meters ship.


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