House of the Tamahā

Tamahā is the ceremonial name of the daughter of the Tuʻi Tonga's (King of Tonga's) sister. The eldest sister of the Tuʻi Tonga (King of Tonga) is usually called the Tuʻi Tonga Fefine.[1]

The special title of Tamahā is given to the eldest daughter of the Tu'i Tonga Fefine and a chief of one of the Falefisi (Tu'i Ha'ateiho or Tu'i Lakepa).[2][3] The Tamahā had the highest social status in the land, because she was fahu ("above the law") to the Tu'i Tonga. However, she did not have the highest societal rank (ha'a). The Tamahā did not rule the land and had no real power within the societal structure.[2]

References

  1. ↑ Wood-Ellem, Elizabeth (1999). Queen Sālote of Tonga: The Story of an Era 1900–1965. Auckland, N.Z: Auckland University Press. pp. 35, 307. ISBN 978-0-8248-2529-4. OCLC 262293605.
  2. 1 2 Kaeppler, Adrienne L. (April 1971). "Rank in Tonga". Ethnology. 10 (2): 183. doi:10.2307/3773008. JSTOR 3773008 – via JSTOR.
  3. ↑ CLAESSEN, HENRI J. M. (1988). "TONGAN TRADITIONS - ON MODEL-BUILDING AND HISTORICAL EVIDENCE". Bijdragen tot de Taal-, Land- en Volkenkunde. 144 (4): 433–444.
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