We covered three countries at the Polynesian Cultural Center. We did the lesson for two of them, Fiji and Samoa, before we left. The third country, Tonga, was the first country we learned about when we got back. Even that was a few weeks ago, so forgive me if I don't remember too much information.
Obviously, Tonga is a Polynesian country, which you may or may not have known. Even before this project I knew that, thanks to the Polynesian Resort's Tonga Toast at Disney World. Is that really Tongan? Probably not. But it sure is yummy.
Tonga consists of somewhere around 160 islands, and is only home to just over 100,000 Tongans. Those islands are mostly tiny uninhabited ones, though. The largest island, Tongatapu is home to the capital city, Nuku Alofa, and two thirds of the Tongan Population.
So, where is Tonga exactly? Tonga is about 500 miles south of Samoa (and about 3,000 miles south- southwest from Hawaii.) The Polynesian country enjoys it's own very specific culture and traditions- and has for the last 3,000 years.
Tonga is unique in that it is one of the few countries in the world that was never colonized by a foreign power. There's dueling info out there on just how many countries have that claim to fame. But it isn't all that many (less than 25 seems to be the consensus).
Our landmark for Tonga is the Stonehenge of the Pacific, or Ha'amonga 'A Maui. It's an arched gate made of three massive stones. Nobody really knows when or how it got there, but like Stonehenge, it's said that it's oriented to mark the summer and winter solstice.
Tonga has a state religion, called the Free Wesleyan Church of Tonga. It's the only state religion in the world rooted in the Methodist faith. Though only about 35% of the population is part of the Free Wesleyan Church, Tongans are a very conservative christian nation, as over 90% belong to some Christain relgion. As a result, Sunday is highly revered in this tiny little Polynesian country, so much so that it is illegal to work on Sundays. The whole country basically shuts down for 24 hours every Sunday.
Tonga culture focuses on four core values:; Fefaka’apa’apa’aki (mutual respect), Feveitokai’aki (sharing, cooperating and fulfilment of mutual obligations), Lototoo (humility and generosity), and Tauhi vaha’a (loyalty and commitment). They are big on family, but welcoming to the few tourists that visit.
Tonga is not really a big tourist destination, you won't find pre-packaged, resort style fun there- but you also won't get anymore authentic. One thing people come to see in Tonga, though, is the Humpback whale. The longest migration in the world is held by those humpbacks who travel 5,000 miles from Antartica and ending in Tonga, where the whales give birth to their calves.
Tonga is also the South Pacific's only monarchy. The current king, who has switched to a more democratic Tonga, comes from a ruling line that can be traced back to 1845. Fun fact: That ruling line includes King Tupou IV, who, at 440 pounds, holds the record as the world's heaviest monarch. He was called simply: 'Fat King'.
The boys made their postcards.
Calib's featured Sunday's closures, their Stonehenge, a humpback wale, and the Fat King.
Peyton's included all of that, and pigs nosing around in the surf for fish. Tongan pigs actually go out into the water to eat seafood. (They believe it gives pork a salty taste).
Hayden's included the traditional dance of Lakalaka (if you see the little stick guys arms being all wavy), coincidentally we got to see that at the Polynesian Cultural Center on the boat parade.
With Tonga being our first country since we've been back the boy's jars are all empty again.
The Polynesian Cultural Center website says, of the Tongan village: "There’s no such thing as a “little drummer boy,” or a little drum, in Tonga. The popular Tongan presentation introduces you to Tongan ta nafa or drumming. With any luck, you’ll be called on stage to demonstrate your sense of rhythm on the oversized native drums. At the same time, you’ll learn the simple yet graceful motions of a mauluulu sitting dance, as well as the difference between clapping with a pasi or a fu sound. Sound complicated? It’s actually fun. A whole lot of fun.
Another visitor favorite? The Tongan shuffleboard game, called lafo. Can you beat the villagers? Do pigs fly? Afterwards, try your accuracy with tolo, underhanded spear throwing."
Tonga was actually the last country of the day we got to visit, and we were nearing our luau time. Asa and mom went up to the front to retrieve Cort and his family who had just arrived in Hawaii, so it was just me and the boys in Tonga. We did see the drums, but we opted to skip the presentation in favor of the hands on activity.
Tongans are pretty good at weaving leaves. In fact their traditional dress there is a ta'ovala- a mat made out of woven leaves from the Pandanum tree and worn around the waist by everyone (men, women, royalty). We had a very lovely Tongan woman teach us how to weave palm fronds into a little fish, which we could them fling on this little stick to have them 'swim' back and forth.
She was particularly helpful to the boys. I've learned they are not weavers.
We did also get to take part in the Tongan spear throwing. Don't be too alarmed, it's not uber sharp or anything.
By then Cort and Holly and their family had caught up to us and they had a teeny tiny bit of time to see one or two things at the Cultural Center before the luau.
So, the luau. I did cheat a bit here and say this meal could count as the dinner for three Polynesian countries: Fiji, Samoa, and Tonga. Polynesian countries work with what they have, and what they have is pretty similar. Plus, I was trying to grab onto anything I could to try and not get too far behind on our country project. (So much for that, though- we only ended up doing 7 countries in July).
At our luau we were greeted with leis and sat at a table for all ten of us.
Now, in Tonga, Samoa and Fiji, they all have their versions of earthen ovens, so the pig for the luau totally counts. (Also, they all like their pork).
Truth be told, I did not try this pig. You totally could have the pig. But, I just cannot eat anything I look in the eyes, even if it's dead. So, Cort went up to take a picture. (I lifted it off his Facebook, because I couldn't even bring myself to go over and look at it close up). I did have other pig, though. Just not this one. The Kalua Pork was very good.
The luau was a buffet with lots of different items: Teriyaki Beef, Shoyu-Glazed Chicken, Panko-crusted fish, sweet potatoes (topped with coconut), purple potato salad, taro rolls, and various fruits and veggies.
There was also Poke and Lomiloni Salmon, among other seafood. I am not a fan of raw fish, but I did try it.
They also had Poi, which is basically taro pounded down with water added to it.
Earlier in the day at the Hawaiian village, we learned all about how it is made and various stages taro goes through before it becomes poi. I'd seen this time and time again in my quest for recipes, both in Polynesian countries, and in African countries. But it also seemed like too much work for too little payoff. I was right, it wasn't that great. But, we did all try it!
The bread pudding with the vanilla sauce was pretty good though. They had lots of various deserts including pineapple bars, guava cake, and chocolate haupia cake. I really should have taken more pictures of the food. But, it had been a really long day, so I wasn't on the top of my game.
Of course no luau is complete with out traditional dancing.
And some not-so traditional dancing, courtesy of Calib and Holly.
There was also fire!
So, that's it for Tonga. But, not completely it for the Polynesian cultural center. When I looked at the various villages, Aotearoa did not stick out to me as a country recognized by the UN. We learned when we were there, however, that Aoteroa is the native name for New Zealand. We had other plans for our New Zealand meal (and day), but I'm going to add our trip to the Aotearoa village into that blog too.
We finally put Tonga on the table, and I think all my numbers should match up now. That's 107 down, 86 to go!
Next Up: Another vacation country, Peru!
No comments:
Post a Comment