Ep 9: Critical Tongan Studies with Ata Siulua

This episode includes Tongan scholar and researcher Sione Ata Siulua who grew up in Utah and is currently based in Tokomololo, Tongatapu. We discuss Critical Tongan Studies (CTS) and make a case for its local and global relevance. Ata sets the conversation up with data on the amount of publications that have been made about Tonga to which we then critically interrogate the who, what, where, and when. We discuss the importance of contextualizing history, reflecting on identity, and how critical perspectives can expand our understanding.