In Tonga, it is expected that visitors respect Sunday as a day of rest. Businesses and shops are closed by law. Contracts signed on Sunday are legally void. Even sports activities are forbidden. Several of our cruise-mates went to the beach to swim. They were quickly approached and politely told it was forbidden!
We planned to do what the Tongans do: go to church. We were touched by the music billowing out from the churches around town. No organ or instrumental background accompaniment; just amazingly beautiful--and extremely loud--four-part harmonies.
Sunday is family time. And it is a day to wear the traditional ta'ovala. A ta'ovala is a Tongan dress--a mat wrapped around the waist. It is worn at all formal occasions by both men and women.
Many of these waist mats are handed down from generation to generation. Some are hundreds of years old.
The typical everyday ta'ovala is a short skirt-like mat tied with a rope wrapped around the waist. The mat is usually made of strips of hibiscus or pandanus leaves, usually unpainted. Sometimes the rope is made from the human hair of an ancestor.
Mats worn for special occasions are much larger and fancier. The mat worn for funerals is huge. It is done with a much coarser weave and is never decorated. The more torn and older the funeral ta'ovala is, the more valuable. Rarely is the whole ta'ovala blacck.
I hope you enjoy these photos. I actually found out about the mats AFTER I took the photos, and was surprised and happy I had so many variations.
Don't know if my first comment came through but we love this blog.
ReplyDeleteKathey and Vern
OK now I can post what I originally wrote. We love what you (and your daughter) have done with this. Following you around the world makes us feel like we are getting an education in a most pleasant way! Hugs to you both! K&V
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