Why do Tongans wear mats at a funeral?

Tongan funerals are also times of great respect and love. The type of mat worn, referred to as ta’ovala, indicates how one is related to the deceased. Someone wearing a colorful, finely woven mat to a funeral suggests they have high status. They’re grief may also be represented in the size of the ta’ovala.

What is a Liongi?

Traditionally Liongi are the children of the Tu’asina (youngest brother in a family), and they wear large worn Ta’ovala (mats) called Ta’ovala Pulou, after the burial they had their hair burned off by the fahu.

What should I bring to a Tongan funeral?

The Wake. Before a Tongan funeral, family and friends of the deceased gather for a wake to pay their respects. Typically mourners bring small funeral gifts for the grieving family, such as woven mats, food, or money.

Why do Tongans cut their hair after someone dies?

According to Baron Vaea’s sister, Palu Vava’u, the ceremony takes place on the Pongipongi Tapu. She said it is a part of our culture that when someone dies, his children and those of the lower ranking side and of the father’s brother’s side, show their ultimate deference for the deceased by cutting their hair.

What are Tongan mats used for?

They represent most of the traditional wealth of Samoan families. They are exchanged and presented at weddings and funerals, and at special occasions such as the blessing of a newly built fale (house) or the opening of a new church.

Why do Tongans cut hair when someone dies?

Why Do Hawaiians cut their hair when someone dies?

As soon as one has died the women of the family will cut their hair in crazy fashion to make it look unkempt and sorrowful. They also take rolls of uha, light the ends and sear their body with these to show their great grief.

What are the four Tongan values?

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.

What does Malie mean in Tongan?

Introduction. The terminology, mālie, is an indigenous word in Tongan language and culture, one of the many languages and cultures identified in the South Pacific. Mālie means good, pleasing, pleasant, interesting, advantageous, helpful, splendid, fine, commendable, admirable, or very satisfactory (Churchward 1953).

How do you say good in Tongan?

Very Good. Sai ‘aupito. What is the Tongan word for _____?

Why do men cut their hair when someone dies?

Tonsure (/ˈtɒnʃər/) is the practice of cutting or shaving some or all of the hair on the scalp as a sign of religious devotion or humility. Tonsure can also refer to the secular practice of shaving all or part of the scalp to show support or sympathy, or to designate mourning.

What kind of funerals do they have in Tonga?

Tongan funerals. Funerals in Tonga, despite the large Christian influence they have undergone over the last 150 years or so, are still very much a traditional affair and an important part of the culture of Tonga, especially if it concerns the death of a member of the royal family or a high chief.

How is death dealt with in the Tongan culture?

Various rituals are performed in cleansing the surviving spouse. I will share with readers how death, and events following a death, are dealt with according to the Tonga tradition. When death occurs in the village, the news is conveyed by the beating of drums called NGOMA YABUKALI. After this, some gun shots are fired in the air.

What to do with the hair at a Tongan funeral?

As the hair and the head (especially of royalty) are considered taboo, it must be done by someone outside the Tongan ranking system, such as Māori Princess Heeni Katipa (far left). In case of an important chief, for 10 days after the interment relatives and friends of the deceased bring food from the ʻumu to the deceased’s closest family members.

How are family members notified of a death in Tonga?

As soon as the death has occurred all family members will be notified, nowadays often by a radio message, and they are supposed to come to the putu (funeral rites). In Tongan culture no excuses are accepted for missing these rites.