Tag: Tongan culture
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Teunga Tau’olunga & Ofa Fonua: Traditions That Connect Generations
I learned two new Tongan phrases last month! We attended a Tongan wedding reception of one of our friends, and my friend mentioned that it was an honor to help her niece dress for teunga. I had never heard about this tradition before, and she explained what it was. My friend carefully and lovingly adorned…
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The Tongan Way
Tongan customs, or angafakatonga, are an important part of Tongan identity: all of their values, practices, beliefs, and behaviors. Their angafakatonga can also be found through their connections to the Christian church and family, and both are of the highest importance. Tongans love to share their family tree. One of the first things many Tongans…
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Niuafo’ou: Tin Can Island
In Tonga’s First King and Other Folk Tales, the last folktale in the book is about how the island of Niuafo’ou (many new coconuts) came to be. This island is unique because it is also called the Tin Can Island. Unlike other islands worldwide, it does not have a natural harbor or pier, so there…
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Tonga: Basket Weaving
Before people started making baskets, birds were weaving their nests for the protection and comfort of their little ones. Every culture has had some form of baskets to gather and carry their goods. Today, baskets are more for decorative uses. Many earthy materials have been used to make baskets: pine needles, willows, leaves, roots, grasses,…