The Pacific had its own maritime empire, and it sailed canoes. For nine centuries the Tu’i Tonga dynasty ruled a tribute network stretching from Tonga to Samoa and Fiji — the only Indigenous empire of Oceania, and the only Pacific state Europe never colonized.
Mu'a ★ Samoa Fiji Greatest extent — stylized map 950 CE Tu'i Tonga founded 1845 Tupou I reunites Tonga 1865 Tu'i Tonga line ends Rise · zenith · fall The rise The Tu’i Tonga dynasty was founded around 950 CE, when the chief ‘Aho‘eitu was raised above the other chiefs as a sacred king. The innovation was spiritual as much as political: the Tu’i Tonga was descended from the gods, and that sanctity radiated outward — first across the Tongan archipelago, then across the sea. In a world of canoes and currents, sacred kingship traveled well.
