The Temple of Faleme'e: Archaeological and Anthropological Considerations of a Pre-Christian God-House on the Island of Ha'ano, Kingdom of Tonga

Abstract

Traditional religious practices in the Kingdom of Tonga are poorly understood. In a 1991 arcbaeological survey of Ha'ano Island, nortbern Ha'apai, a stone enclosure and comer posts of a pre-Cbristian god-bouse were recorded. Oral tradition and previously collecled narratives about this site allow it to be identified as Faleme'e, a temple to tbe goddess Hikule'o. As one of three principal gods within the Tongan pantheon, Hikule'o was deity to tbe Tu'i Tonga lineage, the most sacred and bigbest ranking chiefs in the country. Archaeological and anthropological contexts are provided for Faleme'e.

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