Kofu ngatu

human history

Kofu ngatu. Ngatu dress. This kofu is made entirely from ngatu (tapa cloth) and is decorated on the front and back with significant kupesi and other designs. It is a baby or toddler sized dress with short sleeved dress and a scalloped hem. The front has the Tongan seal on the front as well as the dates 1616 and 1947. The Tongan seal features the crown which is a nod to the current ruling monarchy and the fact that Tonga is the only kingdom in the Pacific. The stars represent the different island groups in Tonga Niua, Vava'u, Ha'apai and Tongatapu. The three swords represent the three chiefly lineages in Tonga; Tu'i Ha'atakalaua, Tu'i Tonga, Tu'i Kanokupolu. The dove and olive branch represent [double check this]. Lastly the Tongan flag on either side of the coat of arms. The date 1616 is when the first explorers, Le Maire and Schouten arrived in Tonga. The date 1947 is when the double wedding of Queen Salotes sons took place. The back of the dress features a sunrise in the horizon representing the fact that Tonga is the first country in the worked to see the sun rise. The spitfires represent Tonga and Queen Salotes contribution to the war, by fundraising for them in the 1900s. [fact check]

Accession number: 1977.21 Last Update: 20 Aug 2021
Other Name

Dress

Place
Tonga/Pacific
Accession Number

1977.21

Accession Date

1977

Other Id

48084 (ethnology)

Department

Pacific

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