Own, Tongan
p. 65 · Read in the full issue
Rolling Your
Style
One of the industries in Tonga that never gets much publicity is the growing and curing of tobacco. One planter engaged in it is Manase Fanaika (left), who grows tobacco on about two acres of his B±-acre plantation at Niutoua’a.
After harvesting, the leaves are transferred to a wall-less fale where they are left to hang for several weeks, after which they are bound together with other leaves and a locally-made rope.
The bound leaves are then left for a fortnight. They are then unbound, turned inside out, bound up again, and left for a month. At the end of the month, the leaves are ready for smoking That is, if you care for Madame Nicotine in her most pungent form.
As a matter of fact, most Tongans from 40 years upwards usually do prefer this kind of tobacco, particularly at kava parties. And they usually save money on cigarette papers by rolling it in a dried banana leaf.
Photos; Tulua Brothers.