My culture!

DanceTufelenite Tongan Dance Ensemble presents a loving

tribute to their homeland.

Three dances, the Paddle Dance, the Kava Dance, and Girls Beauty, express the love and honor of the Tongan heritage.

Hand and arm movements are used in Tongan dance to illustrate the words of the chants.

The legs and lower body are used to maintain the earthy rhythmic pulse.

TOURISTS DESTINATIONSHa'apai has endless white sandy beaches

Vava'u is one of the most important yachting, kayaking, and whale watching centres .

Eua has excellent hiking and birdwatching opportunities.

Back in Nuku'alofa, there's traditional food and dancing.

FoodTongan food such as, taro, sweet potato,

coconut products, fresh fruit.

Is usually eaten with pig, chicken, corn beef, fi sh & shellfi sh.

The traditional Tongan feast gets cooked in an underground oven, umu.

The most refreshing drink available is coconut juice.

There are about 170 islands in Tonga which are in divided in the 3 islands below.

Tongatapu, which derives its name from the main island where the capital of Nukualofa is located;

Ha'apai, a series of smaller islands to the north of

Tongatapu.

Vava'u, the northernmost islands. Unlike the homes of their Polynesian cousins.

Geography

ARTTongan art, with its elegant sculpture, headrests,

body adornment, clubs, containers, tools and fibre work.

Together all the strands of kingdom's material culture into a single volume.

Tongan art is usually ancient and modern.

Tongan art is nonetheless alive and well.

CUSTOMS• The importance of correct family lines is jealously guarded.

• Has everything to do with land acquisition and passing on the titles of nobility.

• In the case of weddings or funerals, there is a very exact order of things to follow.

• Tonga’s customs may enforce strict regulations concerning temporary importation from Tonga.

• Items such as firearms, explosives, motor vehicles, eggs, and certain types of alcohol may have to be imported from Tonga.

CLIMATE

The climate of Tonga is basically subtropical.

Because the islands are in the southeast trade wind area, the climate is cooler from May to December.

The mean relative humidity is 80%.

average daily minimum of 10° C (in winter to an average maximum of 32° C in summer