item details
NameTapa'i ngatu (tapa cloth)
ProductionUnknown; artist; circa 1943; Tonga
Classificationtextiles, maps, souvenirs
Materialstapa
DimensionsOverall: 505mm (width), 600mm (length)
Registration NumberFE008885
Credit lineGift of Mrs D.M. Heenan, 1991
Overview
This is a map drawn on a piece of ngatu (tapa cloth). The title of the map is "Tonga", but it only depicts the island of Tongatapu at the southernmost end of the Tonga archipelago. This island is home to Tonga's modern capital Nuku'alofa, and is historically significant as a centre of settlement and leadership.
Significance
This map is likely a souvenir made for sale to foreign soldiers during the second world war. It only identifies the main roads and a few key locations on the island.
Acquisition history
This map was collected by D Heenan in 1943 and presented to the museum by Mrs D Heenan in 1991.