How do Tongans do funerals?
Tongan Funeral Service Most people wear traditional funeral attire, including a woven mat. The type of woven mat depends on several factors, such as someone’s relationship to the deceased. The mats represent their respect and love for the deceased. Some people also may wear torn mats to express their grief.
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. Immediate family members might choose to wear worn or frayed ta’ovala to show respect and love for the deceased.
How long do Tongans mourn?
This is called the haʻamo (Compare with: Haʻamonga ʻa Maui). During the initial mourning period the mourners (especially the women) are not supposed to do their hair, but let it hang loose and unattended. At the end of the 10 days it will be officially cut.
What is a FAHU in Tongan?
life. For example, a fahu (father’s oldest sister) will be accorded the highest levels of respect at all formal and informal occasions from funerals to weddings and births. She acts as the family matriarch and oversees her siblings, nieces, and nephews. Tongan Funerals.
Why do Tongans cut hair when 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 some Tongan traditions?
Tongan Celebrations Also Emphasize Sharing, Love and Respect Women would bring the tapas and the mats, and in return the men would reciprocate with pigs, yams and other food. The dowries would be worn as a costume, or type of dress. The Wedding couple would be paraded around the village in a very festive celebration.
What are the 4 values that Tongan society is guided by?
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 traditions do Tonga have?
How do Tongans show respect?
Always show respect to someone of higher rank. Tongans tend to show deference through their body language, such as keeping their head lower than people of higher rank or by averting eye contact. Try and show an awareness of the complex Tongan social structure.
What are some Tongan celebrations?
Tonga Holidays and Festivals ‘Eua Tourism Festival. Held on the island of ‘Eua, this is one of the first festivals of the annual calendar. Ha’apai Tourism Festival. Held in the second week of June every year, this festival showcases the islands’ finest culinary and cultural delights. Heilala. The largest festival in Tonga is celebrated nationally. Vava’u Festival & Regatta.
What are some burial traditions?
Methods of burial may be heavily ritualized and can include natural burial (sometimes called ” green burial “); embalming or mummification; and the use of containers for the dead, such as shrouds, coffins, grave liners, and burial vaults, all of which can retard decomposition of the body.
What are some Buddhist funeral customs?
Viewing. Holding a viewing is acceptable in Buddhist traditions.
