The Tongan Legend of ʻAhoʻeitu

We are pleased to present the story of ʻAhoʻeitu, an ancient tale of a half-human, half-god who travels to his father’s exalted kingdom to find his family. This story, filled with drama and valuable lessons, comes from the Islands of Tonga.

The Legend of ʻAhoʻeitu

There once was a god in the sky named Tangaloa ʻEitumatupuʻa, who would appear by a large toa (ironwood) tree whenever he visited the earth.

One day, he met a woman named Vaʻepopua. They fell in love, and from that love she gave birth to a baby boy, whom they named ʻAhoʻeitu. Although Tangaloa lived in the sky, he cared for Vaʻepopua and their son, ʻAhoʻeitu, by dropping clay from the sky so they would have good dirt in which to grow food.

When ʻAhoʻeitu became a man, he asked his mother where he could find his father. Vaʻepopua took her son to a certain tree and told him that if he climbed the tree, he would see a path that would lead him to the sky and, eventually, to his father.

After a long journey, ʻAhoʻeitu reached the sky. Tangaloa ʻEitumatupuʻa was overcome with joy to embrace his son and introduced him to five of his half-brothers. Before long, the brothers became jealous of ʻAhoʻeitu’s handsome features and, in their envy, carried him away and killed him.

When their father returned from the plantation and discovered his earthly son was dead, he rebuked the brothers and ordered them to restore ʻAhoʻeitu’s life. The next morning, they looked under the mat covering a kumete (wooden bowl), and found that ʻAhoʻeitu had returned to life.

Ahoʻeitu felt bitterly betrayed by his brothers and returned to Tonga. His brothers expressed sorrow for what they had done and asked their father if they could join ʻAhoʻeitu in Tonga. The father agreed, telling his sons that because of their actions, they and their descendants would serve ʻAhoʻeitu and his line for all time.

ʻAhoʻeitu was appointed as the first Tuʻi Tonga (King of Tonga) by his father, Tangaloa ʻEitumatupuʻa. The descendants of the eldest brother became the Tuʻi Pelehake chief, while the other four brothers became the Falefa (Four Houses). To this day, when there is a kava  ceremony during the funeral for a King of Tonga, the Falefa will organize to ensure the event runs smoothly.

Learn more about Tongan Culture

Tongan society is rich in legends and tradition. You can learn more by visiting the Polynesian Cultural Center on the island of Oʻahu, Hawaiʻi, which highlights seven distinct island nations: Hawaiʻi, Aotearoa, Fiji, Samoa, Tahiti, Tonga, and Rapa Nui. Come visit us and immerse yourself in the power of Polynesia.