Langi are large, artificial hills surrounded by huge slabs of coral rock, usually in three or more tiered layers. These slabs were quarried from several places along the coast of Tongatapu or neighbouring minor islands. The waves of the sea made them over the centuries, by compacting coral sand into layers of thick. They were only to be dug out and then transported by boat to the building site. The slabs were cut precisely to shape so that they fit along each other with barely any space to spare.
Description Whatever political power the Tui Tonga yielded to their rivals, they gained in spiritual power, and as a kind of high priest they were perhaps even more awesome than as kings. When a Tui Tonga died he was buried in one of the langi, of which there are still at least two dozen in Lapaha. The Tui Haatakalaua were also buried in such tombs, but they are called fale instead.
One of the best-preserved langi is the Paepae-o-Telea, which is even more remarkable as the slabs along the corner really have an 'L' shape.
The story that the slabs were moved by magic means from Uvea to Tonga is a myth. Uvea is volcanic and is geologically unsuitable. This fact has always been known, as shown, for example by a stanza of the poem named Laveofo from around the 18th century by Tufui. Ko e Pangaimotu mo Makahaatuu mai a e motu ko Fafānae fai ai e tā makao uta ki Langi Taetaeamo e otu langi fua o Mua The islands Pangaimotu and Makahaaand standing here the island of Fafāwhere the cutting of stone was doneand taken to the mound Taetaeaand the whole row of mounds of Mua
The last Tui Tonga, Laufiltonga, was buried in langi Tuofefafa. Having died as a Catholic, his grave is marked with a huge cross.
The langi are still used nowadays as burial sites. When the Kalaniuvalu chief died in 1999 he was buried in the Paepae o Telea. When the Tui Pelehake chief, Uluvalu and his wife Kaimana died in 2006, they were buried in langi Nā Moala.
The remaining groundworks of an old, deserted fort remain on the border of Talasiu and Lapaha.
List According to the matāpule Makalangahiva (variations by other informants) Langi Pyramids in the Kingdom of Tonga and the Pacific. Langi Tuo teau Langi Kātoa Langi Fanakava ki langi Langi Tuo fefafa Langi Tau a tonga Langi Malu a tonga Langi Leka Langi Sinai Langi Taetaea Langi Faapite Langi Tōfā ua Langi Nukulau uluaki Langi Nukulau ua Langi Foou Langi Hahake Langi o Luani Langi Tauhala Langi Paepae o Telea (or Paepae o Telea) Langi Nā Moala Langi Hēhēa Langi Esi a e kona Langi Malomaloaa Langi Nakuli ki langi Fale Loāmanu Fale Fakauō Fale Tui(nga)papai Fale Pulemālō Fale Tauhakeleva Tangaloa's Langi Talanga Langi Makamaka Langi Manoa Langi Fefine Langi Tevolo Langi Fine Pani Lolo Langi Kakala Langi Lamatavake Langi Matangi Langi Vakatau Langi Pa Tonga Pulemelei (Samoa) Langi Taveuni (Fisi) Langi Letoka (Vanuatu) Langi Anuta (Solomone Luangiua) Langi Ahu o Tongariki (Rapanui Easter Island) Langi Arae Te Tonga (Cook Island) Langi Tuo hiva (Samoa) Langi o Tefolaha (Tuvalu) Langi o Falealupo (Tuvalu) Langi Fatani Tawake (Fisi)
References
to:ʻotu langi