ABSTRACT
This chapter provides a brief introductory description of Tonga. It describes the methodology—including both collection and analysis of data—resulting from the Cultural Model (CM) Theory. The chapter discusses a hypothesis about the Tongan CM of Nature. It looks at the internal causal structure of this CM. Tongan communities are deeply affected by changes in the climate such as weather unpredictability, the rising level of ocean waters, and the variability of fish supplies. Contemporary Tongans are concentrated in villages and small towns. The contemporary religious landscape of Tonga is characterized by many churches. Contemporary houses are usually rectangular and made of timber with corrugated iron roofs. CM provides a framework within which investigations are conducted using a specific methodological approach. The methodology employed within this project is a consequence of adopting a CMT perspective on culture. The chapter suggests that any CM of Nature would include a causality structure that can be represented by a causal model.
