The Dynastic Evolution and Functional Role of the Tu'i Tonga as Master Shaman

Abstract

When E. E. V. Collocott ('924) published his paper, 'An Experiment in Tongan History', the experiment was successful in giving a chronological framework to traditional history. This paper aims to show that the experiment did not go far enough by arguing that the Tu'i Tonga king lists do not represent a continuous line of succession from father to son. It affirms the statistical improbability of such a succession over 35 or more generations and discusses the nature and problems of king lists in general. After that the case is largely reduced to identifying dynastic sequences in the traditional history. Finally the functional role of the Tu'i Tonga as master shaman is discussed, traces of shamanic origin being shown to have survived up to the reign of Pau.' Show more