Greetings to you all and Malo e lelei today I am going to be speaking on my Culture So my Culture is Tongan . In Tongan culture a lot of people ask about the ta’ovala we wear or mats in English and the food we eat it may sound wired but it is delicious . TA’OVALA/MATS
Like tapa making, mat weaving is an everyday part of Tongan life. Women gather in small groups weaving, and sing or talk together to keep themselves inspired. Mats are the most treasured possessions in Tongan households, and are traditionally presented at births, weddings, funerals and other special occasions. Tongans also wear mats known as ta’ovala around the waist, the most respectful form of dress in the Kingdom. This custom originated in ancient times when men returning after long voyages at sea, would cut the mat sails of their canoes and cover their naked bodies prior to appearing before their chief. Finely woven ta’ovala are particularly treasured, and are handed down from generation to generation, some dating back hundreds of years. Food / Me'a Kai
Expect to be very well fed on your travels. Traditional Tongan favourites to try include ‘ota ‘ika (raw fish marinated in lemon and coconut cream), and lu pulu (corned beef and coconut milk wrapped in taro leaves). Food and feasting are an integral part of Tongan society, and the feasts of the Kingdom are renowned throughout the Pacific for their size and diversity. In a Tongan feast, up to 30 different dishes are served on a pola, a long tray made from plaited coconut fronds. Traditional food growing and the gathering of seafood is still an important way of Tongan life. Delicious meat and seafood may include spit-roasted suckling pig or steamed fish, chicken, beef, and octopus, and the freshest of local vegetables including yam, taro, sweet potatoes and cassava. Starchy fruit like plantain and breadfruit are also eaten like vegetables, often boiled with delicate coconut cream, and a popular local custom is to wrap vegetables in banana leaves for cooking or for serving. A special memory for many visitors is to experience a traditional earth oven or umu. Food cooked slowly and carefully in an umu retains its flavour, and also develops a delicious smokiness.
Malo e lelei Sabrina,
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing this excellent post about your cultural heritage. I have had the chance to travel to Tonga twice over the past four years and I loved it both times. It is a very special place!
Speaking of special places, I think that we are very lucky to live here in New Zealand. If you'd like to learn more about this awesome country that we call home, please consider joining the Winter Learning Journey programme this year.
To participate, log onto the Winter Learning Journey website and click on the 'Weekly Activities' tab. You will find 21 different activities on the website to choose from. To complete an activity, simply post your answer on your school blog site and we will read your answer and post a comment. We will also give you points and, at the end of the holiday, come back to your school to give you a Participation Certificate. We will also bring prizes for the top three bloggers in the school.
Please consider joining us this holiday! We'd love to blog with you!
Cheers,
Rachel and the Winter Learning Journey blogging team
Hi Sabrina,
ReplyDeleteGreat job sharing about your culture. I've always loved the Tongan culture. Did you know that Captain James Cook called Tonga, the Friendly Islands?
I hope you had a lovely holiday.
Love from Miss Lavakula
Kia Ora Sabrina, I really enjoyed listening to your speech today about different parts of Tongan culture especially learning about the signifigance of ta’ovala or mats. Thank your for sharing.
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