- Aleamotu'a
Aleamotu'a (1738 - 1830) was the king of
Tonga who allowed the introduction of Christianity to thisPacific archipeligo . He ruled for ten years from 1820 to his death in 1830.Background
Aleamotu'a was born in 1738, the third son of King Mumui, whose title was "
Tu'i Kanokupolu ". When Aleamotu'a became king, he bestowed on himself the title "Fielakepa", which became the noble title for his heirs. Aleamotu'a had three brothers: Tuku'aho, Tupoumalohi, and Namoa (Siosaia Tupou to Tongans but, called by the missionaries as,Josiah Tubou).Years as king
In 1820, on the death of his older brother Tupoumalohi, Aleamotu'a became King of Tonga. In 1826, Aleamotu'a converted to Christianity and allowed
Wesleyan Methodist missionaries to set up their headquarters atHihifo , on the western side of the island ofTongatapu . Aleamotu'a also allowed the missionaries to set up their first school on his hereditary estate at the village ofHavelu , in the central part of Tongatapu.In an extract of a letter from Mr Cross (a pioneer missionary), dated May 16th, 1829, it seems that Aleamotu'a, quite old at this time, was in poor health;
"..Several gratifying circumstances have lately occurred in favour of our cause. Last Sunday, Filakeba, an old chief of considerable note, and a relative of Tubou, declared publicly in favour of the Lotu (religion), renounced his Tonga gods, and declared his people would henceforth worship
Jehovah .........He has been very poorly for two or three weeks.......... We have set up during the last week, commenced three new schools....: one at Havelu, one at Fanga, and one at Hofoa. This chief Filakeba is an aged man, much respected, and is a relation of Tubou, our chief"."Aleamotu'a died around the year 1830. His brother Namoa (aka Tubou) assumed the throne and took the title "Siosaia Tupou".
References
*"Wesleyan Missionary Notices" ,Vol.5-6,1826-1831, London.
* Rowe G Stringer. "A Pioneer, A Memoir of The Rev. John Thomas" ( 1885)External links
* [http://www.nzetc.org/tm/scholarly/tei-PraDict-c3-8.html A Grammar and Dictionary of the Tongan Language, with English and Tongan vocabulary]
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