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MATE MA'A TONGA KIAI!!!

Tonga's Rugby League team, Mate Ma'a Tonga, paraded through downtown Nuku'alofa this weekend in advance of their trip to the 2013 Rugby League World Cup in England. Everybody was decked out in white and red to cheer on the the home team, with many people making special floats to support players with family ties their village. "Mate Ma'a Tonga" literally translates to "Die For Tonga" -- which is also the motto for Tonga College Atele. As you can tell, people are very into showing their Tongan pride. Check out more photos from the event here at the Matangi Tonga website. 

(all photos by sally richardson)

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..a few images/video stills from a visit to the 'Ausia Ki Vusi women's group in Ma'ufanga where I spent some time with 'Oliva Vaka as she worked diligently to tohi (paint) ngatu. Like a lot of women in Tonga right now, 'Olivia and her group don't use kupesi (patterned stencils) during their koka'anga, opting instead to freehand the designs on top after the tapa is assembled. 'Olivia is truly a skilled artist; she comes up with the design and the layout in her head, combining traditional kupesi patterns (she especially favors the tokelau feletoa and fata 'o tui tonga) with original designs. She works with a speed and grace that speaks of her many years of experience & of her love for the art of making ngatu. Malie 'Olivia!

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..scenes from a koka'anga I visited in Niutoua, a village at the far northeast end of Tongatapu. I love that even the old piece of tapa that was used as a drop-cloth under the papakoka'anga looks like an artwork in and of itself. Malie kau fefine!

(photos by sally richardson)

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I went to the Royal Agriculture Show in Ha'apai last month & had a great time checking out all the beautiful handicrafts, seafood, produce, livestock, etc. I even got to see the king! Tonga's Ministry of Information & Communications describes the event this way: "The Tonga Agricultural show is a public event showcasing agricultural crops and harvest, animals, fresh food produce, equipment and displays associated with agriculture and animal husbandry. This Government initiative continues to encourage the promotion of agricultural produce and livestock farming by working together with farmers and community villages and towns. Agriculture and Fishing remains an important part of the Tongan livelihood where a large majority of the living income for many households is from agricultural farming, livestock herding and fisheries. The Shows features competitions and field days for each category of the event in agricultural farming, livestock husbandry, housekeeping, and ocean fishing." There were also shows held in Vava'u, Niuafo'ou, Niuatoputapu, 'Eua, and Tongatapu. Wish I could have gone to more, but the Ha'apai show was really fantastic. Check out all that dried feke (octopus) hanging from the fisheries display!!

(photos by sally richardson)

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The day before the king came to visit Ha'apai last month (for the royal agriculture show), the people in the villages on the islands of Lifuka and Foa were busy putting up matapa (decorative archways), flowers, balloons, banners, and other beautiful decorations along the main roads to welcome King Tupou VI to Ha'apai for the first time since he took the throne. I went out for an 'eva all the way out to the end of Foa and back to check out all the preparations. Malo e ngaue!

(photos by sally richardson)

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my friend Ana in Hihifo, Ha'apai took me out during low tide to wash and fetch the lo'akau from the ocean, where it had been soaking and bleaching in the sun for the past week and a half. the lo'akau felt so soft and smooth from its saltwater bath, and the sun had bleached it to a beautiful warm white hue. once home, the lo'akau strips were rolled into spirals and then hung to dry in the sun until they're ready to be used for weaving. Malie Ana!

(photos by sally richardson)

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(photo by sally richardson)

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LOVING the pics from Tonga! Keep em coming sis!

malo aupito!!! don't worry i have more : ) tonga is so beautiful i can't help but take lots of pictures. ofa atu!

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I just love your photos!!! Makes me proud!

MALO!!!! : ) so glad it makes you proud, tonga is amazing. ofa atu!!

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my friend Ana in Hihifo, Ha'apai, is a really skilled fisherwoman (and also one of the funniest people i've ever met). she took me out one day during low tide to search for muli'one (sea slugs) to cook for an upcoming church feast. it was so fun to watch her deftly clean them out right on the spot, especially when the muli'one let off a really eerie dark purple ink into the surrounding water. Malo Ana!!

(photos by sally richardson)

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preparing the haka

(photo by sally richardson)

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I visited several lalanga (weaving) groups in Ha'apai (on Lifuka and Foa)- these women made the work look so easy, but I can assure you that it's not! It takes a lot of concentration, skill, and time to complete a piece. Many women earn a living in Ha'apai through their weaving - making and selling fala (mats), ta'ovala, kiekie, etc. I purchased a beautiful kiekie while in Ha'apai from a woman in Holopeka :) Here is a pretty good summary of weaving in Tonga if you're interested.

(photos by sally richardson) 

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I LOVE THAT I FOUND YOUR BLOG!!! MALO DOKO FOR POSTING YOUR AWESOME PICTURES !♥

malo aupito!! thanks for checking them out :) ofa lahi atu!

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i just got back from a beautiful trip to Ha'apai where i went to 'eve'eva & visit some relatives of Melelua (my Tongan roommate). it was such a nice change of pace from Tongatapu -- slower, more peaceful, and noticeably more traditional. i have a lot more to share from my trip -- going to a to'a lalanga, fishing during low tide, a beautiful beachside picnic (with puaka tunu, of course), a trip to Uoleva, a visit to the Royal Agricultural Show (where i saw the king!), and a humpback whale watching/swimming excursion. will post more as i can :)

(photos by sally richardson)

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finemotu'a next door

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young 'ofa