Kingdom of
Tonga
is a Polynesian country and also an archipelago consisting of 169 coral and volcanic islands, of which 36 are inhabited.
Tonga
is the only pacific nation never to fully lose its indigenous governance.
Currently
Tonga
does not have a location stamp. While there might not be many active Slowly users there, it would be very nice if every country in the world had at least one location stamp that is not a flag.
Haʻamonga ʻa Maui
("The Burden of Maui") is a stone trilithon located in Tonga, on the eastern part of the island of Tongatapu, in the village of Niutōua, in Heketā. It was built in the 13th century by King Tuʻitātui in honor of his two sons. The monument is sometimes called the "Stonehenge of the Pacific"
The word
haʻamonga
means "a stick with loads on both ends, carried over the shoulder".
Maui
refers to the name of the Polynesian god. As the stones are too heavy for humans to handle, it is believed that the
Maui
himself brought them from ‘Uvea (Wallis Island) and constructed the monument.
Ha'amonga 'a Maui
is constructed from three coral limestone slabs. It is 5.2m high, 1.4m wide, and 5.8m long. The weight of the visible part of each upright stone is approximately 30–40 tons. Deep mortises are cut into the top of each upright stone to fit the lintel.
Near the trilithon is a stone throne called the
ʻEsi maka faakinanga
("stone to lean against"). It was believed that when the king was seated with his back against the throne, he was safe from assassins who may sneak up behind him, and with his long stick he could hit every potential foe from the front on his knees.
Ha'amonga 'a Maui
has already been featured on a Tongan postage stamp, so I would say now it's Slowly's turn. :)