ʻotuhaka
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ʻotuhaka
The otuhaka (: row-of-dancemovements) is a traditional Tongan group dance with prominent Samoan influence wherein the performers are seated and make gestures with their arms only, with some accentuation from head and body. Originally the otuhaka was performed by older, chiefly ladies only, who were supposed to be too old to stand. Very often a otuhaka was followed by an ula performed by their (standing) daughters or any young, chiefly ladies. In another respect, the 'Otuhaka was believed to be performed early in the morning to wake the King in a peaceful and subtle way. The performers sat crosslegged on the ground in a half circle with the guest of honour (the chief to whom they wanted to give homage) at the centre. Like the māuluulu part of the performance is on the beat of the music only, part of it is with additional singing of a chorus. The music by tradition, consists of beating with sticks on the ''tafua'', bamboos, which are rolled up in a mat, just to keep the beat. Nowad ...
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Ula (dance)
The ula (dance) is an ancient Tongan group dance, already reported by early European navigators like Captain Cook. It is also known as fahai-ula (split dance), which may be degenerated to fahaiula. Traditionally, it is performed after an ʻotuhaka. It is still danced nowadays, although less popular than its descendant the tau'olunga, tauolunga. Lyrics The oldest parts seem to be from Samoan language, Samoan origin: Oiau, sia langi ula; i iē fai mai sia tauolunga. io! Tulopa he iau moe; io ē! vasaleva iau moe; io! Sina vai tava ā ē he iē, ā ē. Sina vai tafe lou lonā. io, io, he lou lonā. Tunotuna oe Ale-le-sā, manuia oe saualuma. Laulau tui Vaea ē, Vaea lau mānaia. These parts are from the beginning of the 20th century: Tonga, Tonga ē, tulituli faiva, he tuli faiva ē pei kau mua pei kau mai ke tau kalofi kuo tau e langi tulituli faiva, he tuli faiva ē. Tonga, Tonga ē, tulituli faiva, he tuli faiva ē ko e faiva ni ko hoto kakala o l ...
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Tu'i Tonga
Tu'i, also spelled more simplistically Tui, is a Polynesian traditional title for tribal chiefs or princes. In translations, the highest such positions are often rendered as "king". For details, see the links below various polities. Traditionally, a Tui is an equivalent of God title. Origin of Tui is believed to be Tui Manu'a (the title given to the son of the Polynesian God Tagaloa, and therefore Tui were viewed as living Gods). Tonga See: * Tu'i Tonga * Tu'i Ha'atakalaua * Tu'i Kanokupolu *Tui Harris Fiji See House of Chiefs (Fiji) Samoa There are several Samoan polities and titles (several including the term Tui) in the present kingdom. On American Samoa, the paramount chief is titled Tu'i Manu'a Wallis and Futuna On Futuna island, see Tu`i Agaifo of Alo. There is also the Chief of Sigave Sigavé (also Singave or Sigave) is one of the three official chiefdoms of the France, French territory of Wallis and Futuna in Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. (The other two chiefdo ...
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Samoans
Samoans or Samoan people () are the Indigenous Polynesian people of the Samoan Islands, an archipelago in Polynesia, who speak the Samoan language. The group's home islands are politically and geographically divided between the Independent State of Samoa and American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the United States of America. Though divided by national border, the culture and language are the same. The Samoan people and culture form a vital link and stepping stone in the formation and spread of Polynesian culture, language and religion throughout Eastern Polynesia. Polynesian trade, religion, war, and colonialism are important markers within Polynesian culture that are almost certainly rooted in the Samoan culture. Samoa's ancient history with the kingdom of Tonga, chiefdoms of Fiji and French Polynesia form the basis of modern Polynesian culture. Social organization Among the many parts of Samoan society, three are described below: The ''matai'' (chief), the ''aig ...
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Culture Of Tonga
The Tongan archipelago has been inhabited for perhaps 3,000 years, since settlement in late Lapita times. The culture of its inhabitants has surely changed greatly over this long time period. Before the arrival of European explorers in the late 17th and early 18th centuries, the Tongans were in frequent contact with their nearest Oceanic neighbors, Fiji and Samoa. In the 19th century, with the arrival of Western traders and missionaries, Tongan culture changed dramatically. Some old beliefs and habits were thrown away and others adopted. Some accommodations made in the 19th century and early 20th century are now being challenged by changing Western civilization. Hence Tongan culture is far from a unified or monolithic affair, and Tongans themselves may differ strongly as to what it is "Tongan" to do, or not do. Contemporary Tongans often have strong ties to overseas lands. They may have been migrant workers in New Zealand, or have lived and traveled in New Zealand, Australia, or ...
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