Tonga- Island Kingdom
Visitors center.
Tonga Sunday February 1, 2015
Tonga officially the Kingdom of Tonga is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. The main island, Tongatapu, is protected by lagoons and limestone cliffs. It’s home to the rural capital of Nuku'alofa, as well as beach resorts, plantations and the Ha'amonga ʻa Maui, a monumental coral gate from the 1200s.
The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited.
Tonga was united under one chief in 1845. This must have been quite an achievement because the mostly flat limestone islands are scattered over 700,000 km² (270,000 sq mi) of the southern Pacific Ocean, this is about the size of Texas. Tonga is the only kingdom in the Pacific since Taufa'ahau (King George) in 1875 declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy, he also gave Tonga its first constitution.
In 1970 the former British protectorate acquired its independence and became a sovereign nation.
Almost two-thirds of Tonga's population live on the main island Tongatapu, where also the capital city Nuku'alofa is located.
Tonga cut its official ties with the UK in 1970, but remains an active member of the Commonwealth.
However the country's total surface area is just about 750 km² (290 sq mi), smaller than one third of Luxembourg, or about four times the size of Washington, DC.
Tonga has a population of 100,000 inhabitants (in 2016). Capital city of Tonga is Nuku'alofa on the nation's main island Tongatapu. Spoken languages are Tongan and English (both official).
Family is the central unit of Tongan life. Older persons command the most respect and each family member knows their role.
TONGAN CULTURE
Tongan society is guided by four core values, all of which combine to ensure a genuine welcome to visitors to the Kingdom. The four core values are Fefaka’apa’apa’aki (mutual respect), Feveitokai’aki (sharing, cooperating and fulfilment of mutual obligations), Lototoo (humility and generosity) and Tauhi vaha’a (loyalty and commitment).
Family is the central unit of Tongan life. Older people command the most respect and each family member knows their role. A typical family unit may consist of adopted children, cousins and other distant relatives, alongside siblings and grandparents. Their respect for family is a reflection of the people’s love of the Tongan Royal Family.
A typical family unit may consist of adopted children, cousins and other distant relatives, alongside siblings and grandparents.
The two biggest occasions for Tongan families are weddings and funerals where traditional tapa cloths and woven mats are gifted. Today, many Tongans still live in villages, and traditional village life has not changed greatly from earlier days. Many traditional practices are still an integral part of village life, making Tonga one of the most authentic traveller destinations in the South Pacific.
TONGAN DANCE
A well known traditional dance is the Lakalaka, a dance practised throughout the Kingdom.
A vibrant and colourful experience for many visitors to Tonga is the dignified and graceful dancing of the Kingdom. Dance movements visually enhance subtle melodies of sung poetry, culminating in a style of dance that is uniquely Tongan.
Tongan dance is also a spectacle that demands the involvement of spectators, and a gift of appreciation or fakapale is a local tradition to reward a dancer. Once these gifts were tapa and mats, but in modern society money is now more common.
TONGAN FOOD
PUAKA TUNU (Pig on a spit)..
Some of the traditional Tongan dishes are lobster and fish, octopus, steamed pork, suckling pig, and tropical fruits. Some of the most well liked and mouth watering dishes are devilled clams, feke consisting of squid or grilled octopus in coconut sauce, lobster, meat and onions marinated in coconut milk and baked in taro leaves, ‘ota or raw fish marinated in lemon juice, ‘ufi or large white yam, taro, tropical fruits and all types of salads. Tongans love feasts. A pola is a long tray made of coconut fronds plaited together. During feasts, a pola is used to serve up to 30 types of dishes. A typical feast includes chicken, crayfish, octopus, pork and vegetables steamed in an umu, suckling pig, and several varieties of tropical fruits.
Lobster is a special ceremonial seafood item in Tonga.
SPECIALITIES INCLUDE :
Ufi (a large white yam).
Lu pulu (meat and onions, marinated in coconut milk, baked in taro leaves in an underground oven).
Feke (grilled octopus or squid in coconut sauce).
Devilled clams, ota (raw fish marinated in lemon juice) and lobster.
Feasts play a major role in the Tongan lifestyle. Up to 30 different dishes may be served on a pola (a long tray of plaited coconut fronds), and will typically include suckling pig, crayfish, chicken, octopus, pork and vegetables steamed in an umu (underground oven), with a variety of tropical fruits.
Edible oyster culture was initiated in 1973. Several species were introduced from Japan, New Zealand and USA.
SEAFOOD -Fresh, Tongan fare. Enjoy the traditional tastes of Tonga and sample foods from the sea. A lot of seafood can also be eaten raw with sea water for salty flavour. Try some of the local delicacies: Sea snail (Elili), Fish (Ika), Lobsters (U’o), Octopus (Feke), Mussels (Kuku), Mama (Hulihuli), Sea-weed (Limu), Sea-urchin (Tukumisi).
TAPA MAKING AND WEAVING
Tapa making is one of the most common heard sounds in Tonga, and a big part of Tongan culture.
NGATU is the Tongan name given to Tapa cloth or decorated bark cloth. Ngatu is made from the bark of hiapo ( mulberry tree). In Tongan culture the men tend to the hiapo tree when it is growing, but once it is harvested the women will start processing the Hiapo bark to a Ngatu. The process of making Ngatu begins with stripping the bark from the tree then separating the inner and outer bark. The stripped bark is then cut into strips and beaten – which transforms the strip into a wider piece resembling a fibrous fabric. When a number of pieces have been produced, they are dried and placed under a mattress to flatten them. A design is then printed on the cloth with a stencil and the pieces are joined together with a paste made from arrowroot. After the design has dried then the extra designs are then painted onto the cloth.
Mats are often passed down from generation to generation and historically, they were a symbol of social status.
The main function of Ngatu is to be a presented as a gift given at weddings, funerals and other special occasions. Larger pieces of Ngatu are considered a symbol of wealth. Ngatu also plays an important role in funerals. Immediately after somebody dies, the body is placed on a bed of ngatu in a room covered in ngatu and mats.
Mat weaving is one of the ancient Tongan handicrafts. Mats are used for a variety of purposes. Mats are often used for bedding and flooring. They are also presented during special occasions such as births, deaths and weddings. Mats are often passed down from generation to generation and historically they are a symbol of social status. In Tongan funerals, bodies are wrapped in mats as a sign of respect.
TA’OVALA
Mats are also used as Ta’ovala, which is a mat that is worn around the waist. Wearing the ta’ovala is also a sign of respect. It is said that in early times, men returning from long voyages at sea would cover themselves up with mats before visiting the village chief.
A taʻovala is an article of Tongan dress, a mat wrapped around the waist, worn by men and women, at all formal occasions.
According to Tongan folktales; A group of Tongans once arrived by boat at the Tu’i Tonga. They had a rough voyage and their clothes were tattered. So they cut the sail of their boat (which was made from mat) and wrapped it around their bodies. The king was so pleased by the sacrifice they had made to him of their expensive sail that he ordered this dress to be court dress from then on. The Tongan waist-mat probably shares a common origin or inspiration as the Samoan valatau or vala waistband often donned by orators and chiefly sons (manaia) and daughters (taupou) on festive occasions and rituals.
Ta'ovala, which is worn by Tongan people by wrapping the middle of body.
The standard taʻovala, for formal and semi-formal wear, is a short mat coming halfway up the thighs. It is wrapped around the waist and tied with a kafa, a traditional rope often made of woven coconut coir or human hair belonging to a deceased ancestor. The mat worn on festive occasions, such as to one’s own wedding, is much larger, finely woven, and often very nicely decorated. This fine variant of ta’ovala is known as the ngafingafi, and corresponds to the ‘Ie Tōga of the Samoans. The value of individual ngafingafi is determined by its colour, which may range from bleached white to a rich shade of tan or even coffee, depending on its age; the darker the colour, the greater the age, and the higher the value and prestige of the fine mat. Likewise, the taʻovala for a funeral is also a huge mat, but much coarser and undecorated, woven from the rougher side of the pandanus leaf. If the wearer is of an inferior rank to the deceased, then the mat to be donned would be old, well-worn, and tied in such a way as to wrap around the upper body and veil the head. The older and more torn it is, the better. All these special mats are kept as precious heirlooms.
More finely woven mats were used as clothing, and could be valuable commodities amongst the people of Tonga.
MATERIALS
Ta’ovala is made from a range of different materials:
Strips of pandanus leaves, usually unpainted.
Although sometimes black strips are used, the taʻovala is rarely wholly black.
The strips range from coarse (15 mm or so as for funerals) to fine (a couple of millimeters, as the taʻovala loukeha, in which one is dressed to visit the king).
Mats are always woven by hand, especially the fine mats. Making fine mats is labor-intensive, takes a long time to complete, and therefore they are expensive. The oldest and most valuable Tongan fine mats are preserved by the Tongan royal family to wear on formal occasions.
Strips of hibiscus bast fiber, called fau.
Same as the pandanus leaves, but not as coarse and as such, they can be plaited in a variety of patterns, which is faster and cheaper than weaving them by hand.
Most of the civil servants’ taʻovala are made in this way.
Plastic, particularly material obtained from old flour bags.
Old flour bags are preferred as an alternative source material that is quickly available – does not require lengthy preparation.
TONGAN HANDICRAFTS
The Kingdom of Tonga is well known for its handicrafts including bone carving, wood carving, basket making and fine weaving using traditional techniques.
It is easy to find a wide range of interesting and authentic handicrafts in the Kingdom of Tonga. Traditional art and handicrafts including intricate bone carving, woodcarving, fine weaving and basket making are available at markets and specialised stores.
The Kingdom’s two most important handicrafts are tapa making and the weaving of mats and Tongan womens’ pride, skill, patience and sense of design are all showcased in these two ancient crafts. The stunning work on display is often sold directly by the craftspersons responsible, so shoppers are also taking home a personal connection to these beautiful South Pacific islands.
All these beautiful handmade fans are created using traditional techniques that have been passed down from generations.
How can anyone not be impressed by Tongan Handicraft? Each piece is handmade and unique as traditional crafting has been part of Tonga’s culture for centuries. Do you want to experience the art of making handicrafts instead of just browsing ? You can learn creating Tongan handicrafts yourself. There are a few places across the Tongan Kingdom where it is possible to take handicraft classes with locals so you can make you own souvenir, whether it’s a piece of piece of painted tapa cloth or a woven practical item that you can use for years to come.
5 PLACES TO BUY AMAZING HANDICRAFTS IN TONGA
Hand held fans are made throughout the Pacific Islands.
Here are a few places you can check out Tongan masterpieces:
Talamahu Market, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu
Langafonua Gallery & Handicrafts Centre, Nuku’alofa, Tongatapu
‘Utukalongalu Market, Neiafu, Vava’u
Leonati Arts, Neiafu, Vava’u
Pangai Market, Pangai, Ha’apai