Kolomotuʻa
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Kolomotu'a is located in Tongatapu ( main island of Tonga ). It is in the isthmus facing the north of the Pacific Ocean. Kolomotu'a was the family estate of King Mumui, Tu'i Kanokupolu and his wife, HRH Fatafehi 'o Lapaha, Tu'iTonga fefine. Fatafehi 'o Lapaha was the last female ruler of the Tu'iTonga dynasty in Tonga.
After the assassination of his first son, Tuku'aho in 1774, Mumui decided to move his family from western side of Tongatapu. Kolomotu'a was the royal family estate for Mumui and his royal household, which consists of his three surviving sons: Tupoumalohi, Aleamotu'a and Namoa a.k.a Tupou, and his wife HRH Fatafehi 'o Lapaha.
The royal estate, Kolomotu'a also provided a home for Tongans with skills ( builders, navigation,warriors,cooking, etc.). The last acceptance based on skills to Kolomotu'a was a mother and her son, in 1830.The mother, was allocated to be the cook for the royal family. The mother , Milituitui and her son, Ulakai. Ulakai descendants are current prominent residents, in Kolomotu'a, and known as Tu'itavake, Sunia Mafileo, etc.
Kolomotu'a is also the current home for descendants of King Aleamotu'a and his youngest brother, Namoa (King Siosaia Tupou). Tupoumalohi did not have any heirs . Though there was always a rumour that he may have some descendants somewhere in Tonga, but not in Kolomotu'a.
The original Kolomotu'a did cover the areas that included the locations of the current Royal Palace, Nuku'alofa , Kolofo'ou and the current Kolomotu'a. The original Nuku'alofa, was a name picked by Taufa'ahau ( King George 1)for the Royal Palace, spot only. About 1830, Kolomotu'a was divided into Kolomotu'a, Nuku'alofa (capital of Tongatapu) and Kolofo'ou. Kolofo'ou was allocated to supporters and relatives of Taufa'ahau, who were from Ha'apai, Vava'u and other islands. The west part of Kolomotu'a, maintained the name Kolomotu'a as the original family estate. It remained to date as home for descendants of Aleamotu'a and Siosaia Tupou(Namoa)and relatives.
Kolomotu'a was always referred to as 'Kolo 'Eiki' or the ' Town for the Elites/ nobility'. Kolo 'Eiki' was referred to Kolomotu'a because, it was the home of her Royal Highness Fatafehi 'o Lapaha ( last female ruler of Tu'itonga dynasty), the home for King Mumui, Tu'i Kanokupolu and Ruler of Tonga. Kolomotu'a was the Royal estate that accommodate the Royal household, whom was the apex of nobility status in the whole of Tonga.
Kolomotu'a usually referred to as the,'Eagle', which originated from the nickname of Namoa (King Siosaia Tupou/ Josiah Tubou) as Sea Eagle.
Kolomotu'a is horizontally level and have only one slope/ mound located near the the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa. The slope is the most historical icon of Kolomotu'a and it is, Sia Ko Veiongo. This mound Sia Ko Veiongo was named by King Mumui, during his grieving for the loss of his first son, the Crown Prince Tuku'aho.Sia Ko Veiongo means, 'Feel the healing water flow within'. Sia Ko Veiongo is still the current name of this only mound in Kolomotu'a. Most of the locations in Kolomotu'a were named as results of incidents experienced by the Royal household of King Mumui.This included such locations like, Talakaipau (Tala Kiai Kuopau/ Tell him it's absolute), Tavatu'utolu(Tau Tu'u Tolu/ Three We Stand), Ha'avaka'otua (Vaka ai 'a ha'a 'otua/ The gods on him or his mind already made up),Longolongo(Silence), etc. Those locations are very much part of the current district of Kolomotu'a.
The modern Kolomotu'a is very much a mixture of other families from outer islands of Tonga groups, descendants of King Mumui, supporters, relatives, and from overseas.
References:
Ferdon.N.Edwin, Early Tonga As The Explorers Saw It 1616-1810. USA,(1987).
McNally Rand and Company, Premier World Atlas. USA (1997)
Turner. Rev.Nataniel, The Pioneer Mission (1872).
Category:TONGA
