The Tongan shame: When family treasures become commodities
- Admin
- 4 minutes ago
- 3 min read
In Tongan culture, wealth is not measured merely in cash or property. It takes the form of koloa, such as beautiful textiles, fine mats, barkcloth, waist mats or ta‘ovala, quilts, bedspreads and decorated baskets filled with gifts.
Koloa are considered ancestral treasures, handed down through generations. Some of these precious family heirlooms end up in pawnshops during desperate times when the family or owner must meet financial obligations.
Trading koloa with cash comes with stigma, hence taking a trip to the pawnshop is done discreetly, according to Ping-Ann Addo, associate professor of anthropology at the University of Massachusetts in Boston.
In her research, “When Gifts Become Commodities: Pawnshops, Valuables and Shame in Tonga and the Tongan Diaspora,” Addo explains the cultural, historical and sentimental value of koloa and why pawning them is frowned upon.
Tongan women traditionally create koloa by hand, learning the skill from their elders as teenagers. The process is not easy. It requires hard work, meticulousness and patience. But it builds camaraderie. Visualize a group of women working together, sharing stories, laughter and knowledge while beating barkcloth, decorating textiles and weaving mats.
Addo says that when a Tongan woman makes koloa, she is not just making a handicraft; she is creating what will become the family’s living story and identity. The creation process itself adds value to each piece. It involves the creator’s time, love and effort, holding memories of where it was made, who worked on it and what it represented.
Koloa also signify family status and form an essential part of Tongan ceremonies. They accentuate the walls, floors, tables and ceremonial spaces, turning an ordinary gathering place into a cultural environment.
People wear a ta‘ovala to show humility and honor those of higher status. High-ranking families typically own ancient mats used during important occasions, while everyday families use more recent pieces.
Koloa are also deeply associated with important life moments. They are given as gifts during a girl’s 16th birthday, weddings, christenings, funerals and other special occasions. When Tongans relocate to other places, their koloa travel with them. They serve as a bridge to their homeland, a reminder of roots and belonging.
Tongans don’t gift koloa indiscriminately. The gifting of koala is an important event and is often carefully planned by elderly women. They decide who receives which item and when.
Timing is important,—for example, at the moment a woman prepares for motherhood and assumes a new role in life. It is not just a gift; it is a message of trust, guidance and expectation.
Addo said koloa also represent longevity. A cash gift will be spent and disappear quickly, but the koloa may last forever. The recipient will carefully store the gift and use it repeatedly in ceremonies. Over time, each piece collects more history and thus adds historical value and spiritual significance.
But sometimes, Tongans experiencing financial hardship are sometimes forced to bring their koloa to the pawnshop to cover daily expenses, such as school fees, utility bills, groceries, trips overseas, weddings, funerals, church contributions, family feasts and helping relatives.
Addo said Tongans disapprove of selling koloa because it violates cultural norms and signals financial hardship.
Pawnshops accept koloa as collateral for short-term loans. Customers usually have a month to repay the loan with interest.
Addo pointed out that pawning koloa isn’t emotionally easy. It causes embarrassment and brings social pressure. Tongans avoid being seen at the pawnshops. Some drive across the island to shops in discrete locations.
Pawning koloa also creates a stressful situation for the pawnshop owners. Addo noted that pawnshops in Tonga aren’t merely small neighborhood businesses; they are uniquely Tongan institutions, owned primarily by men.
Pawnshop owners must understand the value of textiles, the social pressures of their customers and even the timing of ceremonial events. They walk a fine line. If they charge high interest rates or take koloa from relatives, they would seem greedy. To ease the burden, pawnshop owners sometimes offer grace periods, reduce interest rates or share profits with the original owners. In this way, they can integrate modern business practices with traditional Tongan values.
In the end, pawning koloa is not about a betrayal of tradition; it’s about using traditional wealth to solve real-world cash needs. Pawnshops, on the other hand, ensure that even when money is tight, Tongans can obtain immediate cash while preserving cultural values and dignity.
Raquel Bagnol is a longtime journalist. She worked as a reporter for Marianas Variety on Saipan and Island Times in Palau. Send feedback to gukdako@yahoo.com
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