UNESCO consults in Tonga over the Langi Tombs
UNESCO is holding a workshop in Tonga to inform the community what needs to be done to have the Langi Tombs of Lapaha listed as a World Heritage Site.
Transcript
UNESCO is holding a workshop in Tonga to inform the community what needs to be done to have the Langi Tombs of Lapaha listed as a World Heritage Site.
The village, part of the old capital of Mu'a in eastern Tongatapu, is the location of the ancient royal Tu'i Tonga dynasty which ruled from 950 AD across Tonga and other parts of the Pacific.
UNESCO has partnered with the Ministry of Internal Affairs in Tonga to educate people on the process of moving towards higher heritage status.
The Ministry's deputy CEO of Culture and Youth Pulupaki Ika, told Koro Vaka'uta, the site was placed on a tentative list in 2007 but there is now momentum to have it placed on the World Heritage Listing.
PULUPAKI IKA: We are now listing under tentative list but we are working on trying to complete all the requirements for the nominations process and also to look at the discussions with people here. Where the sites will be, looking at the management of the site and the boundary of the proposed site we are going to nominate and how the site will be looked after and also develop a management system. At the same time look at what regular maintenance needs to be done and who's responsible also to the development of the action plan.
KORO VAKA'UTA: What is the significance of these sites that you're looking to get listed?
PI: These have universal value. In terms of the place itself, the Tu'i Tonga has been buried here and it's not only that burial but the significance of that Tu'i Tonga along how many years has been buried at this site and the significance of that. This is the only site, the place where those ones have been found in Tonga so it's more or less the importance of those related to the culture.
KV: What sort of response have you had from the community?
PI: There's positivity there but at the same time there's also people concerned about the preservation as well of the area. Not only that but I think most of them are keen and interested to be listed under the World Heritage.
KV: What exactly does it mean when UNESCO lists a site as a World Heritage Site?
PI: The discussions still continue on because we haven't finished but that will be the way forward on how to look after and value why it is important to the people to list it under World Heritage Listing.
KV: With this process, when would you know or get any answer in terms of how long would it take for the site to get listed?
PI: It will take, there's a cycle for UNESCO to be met. I think it's up to 18 months so hopefully everything will be done by, the earliest Feb. 2016.
A Lapita pottery archaeological site was also placed on the tentative list in 2007 but Mrs Ika says Tonga has decided to focus on the Langi Tombs initially.
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