Malo
e Lelei...or "good health" is
the Polynesian greeting of Tonga, where His Royal Highness, King
Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, the last remaining monarch in the South
Pacific, reigns over his loyal Polynesian subjects. Revering
the king, the hereditary descendant of the paramount chief, is
just one manifestation of how Tongans have managed to hold
on firmly to their ancient culture, including language, customs,
food, housing and architecture.
The
young Tongans you will meet at the Polynesian Cultural Center will
gladly share much of their heritage with you. In fact, you might
say they will greet you royally.
Island
activities
Five times each afternoon — at 2:00, 3:00, 4:00, 5:00 and 5:30 — the
Tongans present their very popular Tongan ta nafa or drumming
presentation that actually starts by learning the simple yet graceful motions
of a mauluulu sitting dance. For example, you'll learn the difference
between clapping with a pati or a pu sound.
You can also try your hand at Tongan lafo, a type of shuffleboard
game, or even your accuracy with tolo spear throwing.
The "village" houses
As befits a kingdom, the Islands of Tonga at the Polynesian Cultural
Center include a one-quarter scale replica of the late Queen Salote's Fale
Fakatu'i or "summer palace," built in Laie under
Her Majesty's direction before the Center opened in 1963; also the Fale
Fakataha, the "meeting house"; the Fale Lahi or "family
dwelling; the Fale Ngaue or "work house" where
women make bark cloth and other crafts; the Fale Va'inga which
features the Tongan "game house" version of shuffleboard;
and the Fale Peito or "cook house" with
its earth oven.
