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by Sione Tapani Mangisi (Author)
This is written in Tongan and English. Tapani Mangisi shares his memories of growing up in the village of Ha'avakatolo in the 1950's, where his grandfather provided sanctuary to the Flying Foxes in the Hihifo district, after their historic roosts in Kolovai were disturbed. He talks about how village people strove to catch them for an occasional treat, while still respecting the tradition that brought them under the protection of the highest chief in the area, Ata. He shares how these memories raised new questions for him about Tongan history, especially in pre-European times, as well as about his own family history. He suggests that contrary to popular opinion, science did not begin with European education, but that Tongans were capable of developing practical innovations, using the example of how a village man successfully developed a tool and technique to catch flying foxes in flight.
