The national anthem of Tonga is called: « Ko e fasi ʻo e tuʻi ʻo e ʻOtu Tonga ».
Continent: Oceania
In the same continent: 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇫🇯 Fiji, 🇰🇮 Kiribati 🇲🇭 Marshall Islands, 🇫🇲 Micronesia (Federated States of), 🇳🇷 Nauru, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇵🇼 Palau, 🇵🇬 Papua New Guinea, 🇼🇸 Samoa, 🇸🇧 Solomon Islands, 🇹🇻 Tuvalu, 🇻🇺 Vanuatu
History of « Ko e fasi ʻo e tuʻi ʻo e ʻOtu Tonga »
« Ko e fasi ʻo e tuʻi ʻo e ʻOtu Tonga » (The Song of the King of the Tongan Islands) is the national anthem of Tonga. The anthem reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage, its monarchy, and the unity of its people.
Key Dates and People
- 1874: The lyrics of the anthem were written by Prince Uelingatoni Ngū Tupoumalohi, a Tongan noble.
- 1874: The music was composed by Karl Gustavus Schmitt, a German-born composer who was living in Tonga at the time.
- 1875: The anthem was officially adopted in 1875, coinciding with the establishment of Tonga’s constitution by King George Tupou I.
Anecdotes
- Royal Composition: The lyrics were penned by Prince Uelingatoni Ngū Tupoumalohi, a member of the Tongan royal family, which underscores the anthem’s deep connection to the Tongan monarchy.
- Composer’s Influence: Karl Gustavus Schmitt, the composer, was a significant figure in Tonga’s musical history. His composition for the anthem is considered one of his most important works, reflecting the spirit and traditions of the Tongan people.
- Cultural Significance: « Ko e fasi ʻo e tuʻi ʻo e ʻOtu Tonga » is performed at national celebrations, official ceremonies, and sporting events, reinforcing its role in uniting the Tongan people and celebrating their heritage. The anthem’s stirring lyrics and melody inspire a sense of unity and pride among Tongans.
Lyrics Excerpt
In Tongan
ʻE ʻotua māfimafi
Ko homau ʻeiki koe
Ko koe ko e falalaʻanga
Mo e ʻofa ki Tonga.
ʻAfio hifo ʻemau lotu
ʻaia ʻoku mau faí ni
Mo ke tali homau loto
ʻo maluʻi ʻa Tupou.
ʻE ʻotua māfimafi
Ko homau ʻeiki koe
Ko koe ko e falalaʻanga
Mo e ʻofa ki Tonga.Translated in English
Oh, almighty God
You are our Lord
It is You the pillar
And the love to Tonga.
Look down on our prayer
That we make now
And may You answer our wish
To protect Tupou.
Oh, almighty God
You are our Lord
It is You the pillar
And the love to Tonga.Sources: