Motu (Vavaʻu)

In the Vavaʻu island group of Tonga, the word "Motu" simply means "island." It is a common geographic term used to refer to small, uninhabited, or inhabited islands within the archipelago. The term is integral to the Tongan language and culture, reflecting the island nation's reliance on and connection to the surrounding ocean and the individual islands that comprise it. When followed by a name (e.g., Motu Lahi), it designates a specific island within the group. Its meaning is consistent with the broader Polynesian usage of "motu" across various island nations, generally referring to a small island or islet.