Published on Matangi Tonga (https://matangitonga.to)

Home > Tonga observes Emancipation Day on Monday

Tonga observes Emancipation Day on Monday [1]

Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Friday, May 30, 2025 - 21:33

King Tupou I

A public holiday will be observed on Monday, 2 June to commemorate Emancipation Day, the day King Siaosi Tupou I officially abolished serfdom in Tonga in 1862, as part of his 1862 Code of Laws.

Emancipation Day, 'Aho Tau'ataina represents a turning point in Tonga's history as commoners were freed from the virtual ownership of chiefs.

King Tupou I declared the abolition of serfdom as part of his 1862 Code of Laws, with his official emancipation edict in the 1862 Code of Laws:

“All chiefs and people are to all intents and purposes set at liberty from serfdom, and all vassalage, from the institution of this law; and it shall not be lawful for any chief or person, to seize, or take by force, or beg authoritatively, in Tonga fashion, anything from anyone.”

King Tupou I is credited with bringing christianity to Tonga as well as establishing Tonga’s first Constitution and Parliament.

Pacific Islands [2]
Tonga [3]
Emancipation Day [4]
public holiday [5]
Culture and Society [6]

This content contains images that have not been displayed in print view.

Source URL:https://matangitonga.to/2025/05/30/tonga-observes-emancipation-day-monday

Links
[1] https://matangitonga.to/2025/05/30/tonga-observes-emancipation-day-monday [2] https://matangitonga.to/tag/pacific-islands?page=1 [3] https://matangitonga.to/tag/tonga?page=1 [4] https://matangitonga.to/tag/emancipation-day?page=1 [5] https://matangitonga.to/tag/public-holiday?page=1 [6] https://matangitonga.to/topic/culture-and-society?page=1