THE KINGDOM OF TONGATHE KINGDOM OF TONGA

THE FRIENDLY ISLANDTHE FRIENDLY ISLAND

JEWELS OF THE PACIFICJEWELS OF THE PACIFIC

WHERE TIME BEGINSWHERE TIME BEGINS

TRADITIONAL DANCESTRADITIONAL DANCES There are over 110+ different kind of Traditional Dances There are over 110+ different kind of Traditional Dances

of Tonga and they are performed ONLY at specific of Tonga and they are performed ONLY at specific occasions and on the right moon according to our occasions and on the right moon according to our Traditional Tongan Calendar.Traditional Tongan Calendar.

SITTING DANCE <MA’ULU’ULU>SITTING DANCE <MA’ULU’ULU> LAKALAKA <STANDING DANCE>LAKALAKA <STANDING DANCE> SAILING DANCE <ME’ETU’UPAKI>SAILING DANCE <ME’ETU’UPAKI> HIKO <GIRLS>HIKO <GIRLS> FA’AHIULA <ONLY WOMEN>FA’AHIULA <ONLY WOMEN> STICK DANCE <SOKE>STICK DANCE <SOKE> MAKO <ONLY MEN>MAKO <ONLY MEN> SOLO DANCE <TAU’OLUNGA>SOLO DANCE <TAU’OLUNGA> WAR DANCE <KAILAO>WAR DANCE <KAILAO> Any many more….etcAny many more….etc

DIFFERENT TYPES OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF DANCESDANCES

Faha’iula Faha’iula 《《 girls girls group dancegroup dance 》》

Tau’olunga Afi Tau’olunga Afi 《《 Fire DanceFire Dance 》》

Lakalaka Lakalaka 《《 Standing Standing DanceDance 》》

Kailao <war Kailao <war dance-all men>dance-all men>

MAKO DANCE

Ma’ulu’ulu 《 sitting dance 》

ME’ETU’UPAKI 《 MARINE WAR

DANCE 》

HULA <belly dance>

Ladies and Gentlemen Ladies and Gentlemen Welcome to our Welcome to our Presentation:Presentation:

TAU’OLUNGA 《 Solo Dance 》

TAU’OLUNGaTAU’OLUNGa

The Tau’olunga is a solo The Tau’olunga is a solo dance for girls: virgin’s girls, dance for girls: virgin’s girls, especially for them to especially for them to perform on their wedding perform on their wedding day to prove that they are day to prove that they are still virgins. In ancient times still virgins. In ancient times it was only performed by it was only performed by Royal blood virgins or Chief’s Royal blood virgins or Chief’s daughters to impress the daughters to impress the King or the Chief of that King or the Chief of that gland. Nowadays it can be gland. Nowadays it can be performed by any virgin girls performed by any virgin girls and at any special occasions. and at any special occasions.

Married women and non-Married women and non-virgins are not allowed to virgins are not allowed to do this dance it is do this dance it is prohibited! They are only prohibited! They are only allowed to assist the men at allowed to assist the men at the back and do the the back and do the Tulafale (escorting dance of Tulafale (escorting dance of men).men).

The Art of Tau’olungaThe Art of Tau’olunga It mainly consist of a series of hand movements, which It mainly consist of a series of hand movements, which

interpret the meaning of the selected song. However, most of interpret the meaning of the selected song. However, most of the movements are so stylized that only adapts will understand the movements are so stylized that only adapts will understand them. Many of the typical gestures <haka> are standardized them. Many of the typical gestures <haka> are standardized and have their own name. Also important is the movement of and have their own name. Also important is the movement of the head. Your head and your eyes should follow the direction the head. Your head and your eyes should follow the direction where your hands goes and also it is to be directed to the guest where your hands goes and also it is to be directed to the guest of honor of that occasion and also to the audiences, the eyes of honor of that occasion and also to the audiences, the eyes are never to glance away. From time to time little nod of your are never to glance away. From time to time little nod of your head within one beat or two we call it <teki>. The girl must head within one beat or two we call it <teki>. The girl must smile at every time, it’s a must. Shaking the hips for this dance smile at every time, it’s a must. Shaking the hips for this dance is prohibited <belly dance>, most of the time the legs must is prohibited <belly dance>, most of the time the legs must stand still only small steps or a turn around is allowed, knees stand still only small steps or a turn around is allowed, knees must be together and bent <taulalo>. Overall the girl’s must be together and bent <taulalo>. Overall the girl’s movement should be humble, softened, royal like as should her movement should be humble, softened, royal like as should her whole body as a virgin!whole body as a virgin!

EYE CONTACT-purpose mainly to draw the attention of men/guests.

SMILE

BODY MOVEMENT

BENDING KNEESSTEADY BODY

HAND POSITIONING

Dressing AttireDressing Attire A Tau’olunga girl is usually A Tau’olunga girl is usually

dressed in a wrap around dressed in a wrap around traditional dance dress, made traditional dance dress, made of Tapa Cloth <ngatu> or a of Tapa Cloth <ngatu> or a Tongan fine mats <kie Tonga> Tongan fine mats <kie Tonga> made from hand woven made from hand woven pandanus leaves, or a dress pandanus leaves, or a dress made from green leaves, made from green leaves, namely grass, fragrant flowers, namely grass, fragrant flowers, sea-pearls and shells, drawn sea-pearls and shells, drawn with traditional designs. Every with traditional designs. Every dress type has its name, the dress type has its name, the dress reaches above her dress reaches above her breasts down to the knees. As breasts down to the knees. As for long skirts are the for long skirts are the traditional appareled for traditional appareled for Tongan girls, this is the only Tongan girls, this is the only time the girl get to show off time the girl get to show off her shapely legs.her shapely legs.

Putting oil on her body exposed Putting oil on her body exposed skin parts so that they shine, skin parts so that they shine, will enhance her beauty. will enhance her beauty. Around her middle she wears a Around her middle she wears a belt <sisi> made from flowers belt <sisi> made from flowers and namely traditional leaves and namely traditional leaves and fragrant flowers. Wristlets and fragrant flowers. Wristlets and anklets are worn also and anklets are worn also ranging from Tapa Cloths or ranging from Tapa Cloths or elaborate leaves and flowers. elaborate leaves and flowers. On her neck she wears a white On her neck she wears a white shell tied with a black ribbon. shell tied with a black ribbon. By Tradition if the shell is By Tradition if the shell is missing then she is no virgin. missing then she is no virgin. The more natural materials are The more natural materials are used for her dress the better it used for her dress the better it is.is.

ConclusionConclusion

Tau’olunga <solo dance> is one of the sacred Tau’olunga <solo dance> is one of the sacred dances of Tonga and it is performed dances of Tonga and it is performed accordingly to its rules of movements and accordingly to its rules of movements and directions. directions.

Hope you had a fair understanding and Hope you had a fair understanding and perhaps learnt a little from this presentation perhaps learnt a little from this presentation about the Art of the Tongan Tau’olunga <Solo about the Art of the Tongan Tau’olunga <Solo Dance>.Dance>.

Malo and ‘Ofa Atu.Malo and ‘Ofa Atu.