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Tongan Folktales

Moral and humorous tales reflecting Tongan values and seafaring life.
An illustration of the three Tongan gods Tangaloa, Maui, and Hikule‘o shaping the heavens, earth, and Pulotu.

The Tale of Hikule‘o, Tangaloa, and Maui: Tongan Folktale

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November 5, 2025
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Long ago, before there were islands, seas, or stars, there existed only vast darkness and the sacred nothingness known to the gods. Out of this great silence arose three divine siblings, Tangaloa, Maui, and Hikule‘o, born of the first powers that breathed life into the cosmos. Their bond was woven with light and shadow, for through them the universe would be divided
An illustration of Maui pouring sand into the ocean as Hinahengi rises from the deep, Tongan folktale.
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The Origin of the Sea Tides

In the time before time, when the gods still walked among men and the world was young, the sea lay silent and still. Its surface shone like a mirror, unbroken by wave or wind. Fish drifted lazily in the depths, and the shores of Tonga rested peacefully, kissed only by
An illustration of Tongan twin brothers turning into twin stars above calm seas after a storm.

The Star Twins of Tonga

November 5, 2025
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Long ago, in the ancient islands of Tonga, before the world was fully shaped by time and tide, the people looked to the heavens for guidance. The stars were not just distant lights, they were ancestors, guardians, and storytellers of the night. Among them, two stars shone brightest, their light intertwined
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Tiddalik the Thirsty Frog

In the Dreamtime, when animals still spoke the first language, the land woke to find no water anywhere. Rivers were empty, the
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