Tongan Traditions and Customs

by | Mar 20, 2016 | Cultures of Polynesia, Tonga

One of the beautiful aspects of Tongan Society is their emphasis on sharing. Tongans share stories, they share resources and they share their blessings with joy and thanksgiving.  Everyone has a role to play unique to their individual status in Tongan Society. It is...

Laughing To the Beat: Tongan Drumming

by | Feb 26, 2016 | Cultures of Polynesia, Tonga

Laughing to the beat: Tongan drumming For many years Polynesian Cultural Center visitors from around the world have been enjoying the humorous attempts by audience “volunteers” to play like islanders do during the Tongan Village’s drumming show: There’s just something...

Tonga Tapa

by | Feb 19, 2016 | Cultures of Polynesia, Tonga

  One of my favorite activities to see at the Polynesian Cultural Center is the tapa making demonstration in Tongan. It’s not only fun to watch but very educational at the same time. I just think it’s amazing that cloth can be made out of the bark of a tree. As I...
Tongan Lupulu Recipe

Tongan Lupulu Recipe

by | Dec 17, 2015 | Eat Polynesia!, Tonga

Make your own Tongan lūpulu at home You don’t need to live on a tropical island or cook in an underground oven to make lūpulu, one of Tonga’s most favorite dishes for your own feast:  As Alamoti Taumoepeau, manager of the Tonga Village at the Polynesian Cultural...
Tonga, the Friendly Islands

Tonga, the Friendly Islands

by | Dec 15, 2015 | Cultures of Polynesia, Tonga

Malo e lele! Welcome to the friendly islands of the Kingdom of Tonga. There are about 171 islands in the three main island groups of Tongatapu, Ha’apai, and Vava’u. Tonga has the distinction of being the only island nation that was never formally colonized by a...