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A Conceptual Framework
Koloa is a collective term that speaks of the diversity created by people. Koloa
comprises many different aspects of Tongan language and culture. For example, as
mentioned earlier, the materialistic koloa in the fonua (land) of Tonga is Koloa. The
constituents or the components 8 of the fonua are its koloa. All the constituents lie within
the fonua of Tonga and are regarded by Tongans as koloa. The underpinning aspect of
koloa (ideas) will ‘unpack’ the philosophical, social, cultural underpinnings, as well as
the qualities and educational values of the study. The aspects make the concept koloa
complex and very deep in meaning.
The philosophical aspect of koloa is the knowing values and the quality of ideas. Koloa
qualifies precious ideas that are valued and counted important. Knowing who we are,
why and how we do what we do, are koloa.
Cultural aspects of koloa are the aspirations of Tongan migrants to the greatness and
opportunities (Coxon & Mara, 2000) that this country has to provide. The hearts and
minds of Tongan migrants are to be connected in order to aim for the best. When the
hearts and minds of Tongan migrants are connected the aspirations are easily reached
and achieved.
The spiritual aspects of koloa are the great feelings and strengthening of the soul and
heart of Tongans from an inspired story or from a delivered talk in a congregational
meeting. Feelings from listening to an inspirational talk or story touch the hearts and
mind and make connections. The connections are shown by the laughter, nodding heads,
tears and sometimes by walking the talk.
8 The constituents or components of a fonua are the lea mo e anga fakafonua (language and culture),
kakai (people), tala tukufakaholo (legends of the traditions), tofi'a (patrimony, inheritance/heritage), fua
(raw produces), lotu (religion), and ngāue fakamea’a (handicrafts).
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