ʻATENISI RESEARCH CENTRE

Research Centre Committee 2007:
chairman: vacant

Address of the research centre & Tālanga editorial office: ʻAtenisi

The establishment of a research centre extends the Institute's tradition of scepticism and inquiry.

The centre's basic aim mirrors an ongoing goal of the Institute: to undertake research with "an analytical and critical mind, i.e., not to accept everything as it is, but to question and analyse it" (Petelō, 1991: 6). Through critical and objective research and analysis of social, political, cultural, historical, economic, and scientific issues, society becomes aware of -- and knowledgeable about -- issues affecting its approach to life.

This simple goal is neither sentimental nor fiepoto (pretentious). The centre's commitment merely confirms the essential 'Atenisi aspiration -- i.e., "the search for deeper things, for quality, for reality and the permanent, that which has gone through the test" (Petelō, 1991: 8).

A concern of the centre is to identify funding sources, and solicit funds and grants, to capitalise its projects and infrastructure.

Two major publications are being proposed. One is an annual journal that is to be refereed. The Institute is in the process of identifying the name of the journal as well as an editorial board that will be responsible for the authenticity, quality and academic standard of the articles submitted for publication. The other is a biannual product that seeks to disseminate extended research papers completed by Institute scholars. Topics would transverse over the realm of poetry, music, dance, song, and history ... as well as social, cultural, economic, and political change.

Research components are:

• Tonga Studies Program
  1. Poetry
  2. Song (contemporary and traditional)
  3. Dance
  4. Language
  5. Culture
  6. History (traditional and modern)
  7. Music
  8. Art and sculpture
• Social Studies Program
  1. Governance and business
  2. Health and life style
  3. Economic investment
  4. Social policy and issues
  5. Philosophy
  6. Education and progress
  7. Tourism and development
  8. Conservation and social change
  9. Human resource development
• Scientific Studies Program
  1. Computing and society
  2. Astronomy
  3. Science education
  4. Mathematics and education
  5. Physics

1. Harris, P., 1998. " ʻAtenisi University", Higher Education Supplement, mimeograph.
2. Petelō, S.T., 1991. ʻAtenisi Institute (a historical note). Nukuʻalofa: ʻAtenisi Institute.
3. Spencer, M., n.d. Newspaper article on ʻAtenisi Institute.

TĀLANGA

The Public Lecture Series began tentatively in 1981 and continued weekly from 1983. Special series have also been convened for prominent scholars or individuals who visit Tonga. Together with other events such as the presentation of documentary cinema, concerts by the ʻAtenisi Foundation for Performing Arts (AFPA) and Afokoula, the series confirms ʻAtenisi as the cultural centre for the Nukuʻalofa community.

The term tālanga is the contraction of talaʻanga (tala: to tell; ngaʻanga: a place; lit. telling-place) or mohenga and moheʻanga (lit. sleeping-place) etc. So, tālanga is a 'place' on which something is 'told', 'said' or 'exchanged' between people. The word tālanga describes a group of people who, in both formal and informal ways, come together to stretch their minds by exchanging factual and fictional stories that reflect upon one another's ideas.

Yet the word tālanga is often reserved for verbal exchanges in more formal occasions such as the royal kava ceremony taumafa kava, when ceremonial spokesmen or orators (matāpule) debate the appropriate theme and conduct for the event. As is often the practice, the more experienced matāpule draw their respective cases from their intimate and detailed knowledge of talaefonua (oral traditions; lit. telling-of-the-land-[and-its-people]) in advancing their views.

It is hoped that the journal Tālanga, published by the ʻAtenisi University Research Centre, will provide a vehicle for the active dissemination of ideas generated in the ʻAtenisi University Public Lecture Series, as well as a tālanga point for critical reflection amongst academics and interested members of the public.

Malo ʻaupito

Dr. ʻOkusitino Māhina
Director (1998), ʻAtenisi University
29 October 1998

OCCASIONAL PAPERS

• John Leaman: Socrates: A brief introduction
• Filimone Lātū: Conformal mappings (pdf)

A word about Tongan orthography

This site uses the proper Tongan accents where needed. Older browsers may not be able to show them. When the text seems to be completely garbled, selecting another font may help. For more about problems with Tongan orthography, refer to the Tauʻolunga komipiuta site.

ʻATENISI BOOK PUBLICATIONS

I. C. Campbell, 1989

CLASSICAL TONGAN KINGSHIP

Tonga history - 47 pages - A5 size
ʻAtenisi university, 1989

A history of revolution in Tongan dynastic rule.

ʻI. F. Helu, 1985

FAKAHOLO TALANOA
Ko e ngaahi lea ohi

general science - 52 pages - A5 size - diagrams - language: Tongan
ʻAtenisi university 1985

An encyclopeadia of loan words: an explanation of new words and ideas from various general sciences.

Second, expanded printing scheduled for 2003

ʻI. F. Helu, 1995

HERAKLEITOS OF EPHESOS

philosophy - 101 pages - A5 size - diagrams
ʻAtenisi university 1995

An in-depth analysis and new interpretation of the philosophy of the pre-Socratic Ephesian thinker, and general introduction to the system of his predecessors.

ʻI. F. Helu, 1999

CRITICAL ESSAYS
Cultural perspectives from the South seas

pacific history, culture - 331 pages, - A5 size - illustrated
Australian national university 1999

A personal and philosophical view of the author on historical and current issues in Tonga and the Pacific.

150x232mm, 82 pages

UNESCO/ ʻAtenisi university, 2006

Pacific art from a philosophical viewpoint , available on the Unesco website.
download the PDF

translated poems & essays
ʻAtenisi university, 2005

ʻI. F. Helu, 2006

TOHI VETE
The book of unravelling

explanation of famous poems- A5 size - diagrams - language: Tongan
ʻAtenisi university, 2006 and in progress

Explanations and annotations to the poetry of Queen Sālote and other fanmous Tongan poets

Kik Velt, 1990

STARS OVER TONGA

popular scientific - Tonga traditions - 104 pages - A4 size - illustrated- bilingual: English, Tongan
ʻAtenisi university, 1990

An introductory astronomy book with monthly sky maps, European and Tongan lore. Click here for more information

Kik Velt, 1991

ʻOTUHAKA
A Tongan dance

dance studying & teaching - 66 pages - A5 size - illustrated;
ʻAtenisi university 1991; reprint Tauʻolunga komipiuta 1997

Step by step description of some parts of the ancient ʻotuhaka dance, translation and explanation of the verses, general information about Tonga dance history and performance. Click here for more information

Kik Velt, 1998

REMINISCENCES OF THE MIRTHFUL ISLANDS
Stories from Hihi & Haha

fiction - satiric humour - 168 pages - A5 size - illustrated
Tauʻolunga komipiuta, 1998

Humorous stories from a fictional Pacific islands group, like Tonga.
Click here for more information

(editor)
Kik Velt, 2000

LANGI TAUʻOLUNGA & HIVA KAKALA
Tongan dance and love songs

poetry- history - 204 pages - A4 size - illustrated
Tauʻolunga komipiuta, 2000

A collection of dance songs, translations, music sheets, video recordings
Click here for more information