Tongan coronation

He’s the man behind the Tongan coronation

From BETTY SANFT in Nukualofa v The man upon whose shoulders has fallen the main burden of organising the coronation ceremonial, in traditional manner, is the Keeper of the Palace Records, the Honourable Ve’ehala’ 43, noble of Fahefa.

VE’EHALA is a man of two cul tures. Educated at Wesley Col lege and Auckland Grammar School, New Zealand, he was destined for an academic career at Auckland Univer sity when the late Queen Salote in tervened and nominated him as her special protege.

As a child he had already spent many hours in her company and now he spent many more. When overseas guests were present, so was he; he attended all royal kava ceremonies and learned the intricate patterns of local protocol and etiquette. For years he was steeped in palace tradi tions, of which there were many.

He visited Samoa and Fiji with the Queen on many occasions and today he speaks fluent Samoan, Fijian, English and is a recognised authority on classical Tongan, the

language of royalty and the nobility.

He once spent many months in Sydney, delving into the history and story of Tonga at the Mitchell Library.

As the custodian of tradition, pro cedure and protocol, he becomes, like Britain’s Duke of Norfolk on a simi lar occasion, the architect and super visor of this complex, royal festival.

To all Tongans, the taumafakava, the age-old ceremony of installing the monarch, is the focal point, the highlight of the week’s celebrations.

It was last performed nearly 50 years ago on the accession of Queen Salote.

During this day-long kava cere mony of installation, there will be no smoking, no eating, no festivities until the admonition has been de livered, gifts bestowed and the con venant. between king and nobles, sealed by drinking the royal toast.

The origin of some of the chants to be used is lost. But some new ones have been specially written for so great an occasion, and here Ve’ehala has had ample scope to use others of his many talents. He is a composer of chants, songs and dances and also an exponent of the fangufangu, or nose flute, the only musical instrument used in ancient times.

He's been everywhere

Anyone who listens to Radio Tonga—“ The Call of the Friendly Islands”—which can be picked up widely in the Pacific, will have heard his reproduction of its plaintive notes.

New mats will be required for the chapel, the palace, the royal dais and for many outdoor functions. It was Ve’ehala’s task to visit the outer islands and set up guilds of crafts men, throughout the groups, to meet these requirements, and also to build up stocks of souvenirs and other local handicrafts to meet the de mands of visitors over that period.

He took the opportunity on these visits to ensure that food crops, poultry and pigs were being raised in sufficient quantities for the feasting.

At the same time he set in motic the task of rehearsing songs at dances. His own group, from Fahel village, has had the special ben< fit of his personal tuition.

Ve’ehala is an experienced broa< caster. He has become one of tl best known radio personalities i this area. Until recently, when con nation plans took too much of h time, he could be heard in a for nightly programme on the histor and traditions of Tonga, in which h answered listeners’ questions.

He still runs a weekly programm of musical requests, under the titl “South Pacific Hour”, which h broadcasts in four languages. Hi fan mail, from the whole of the Pad fic basin, would make any dis jockey envious.

Ve’ehala is a family man. He am his wife have three children.

His daily routine is frequently in terrupted by requests from man; quarters for essential informatioi about the culture and customs of hi people. The King’s ministers als< like to have him at hand, at publi( meetings, as mediator and consul tant on points of etiquette and pro cedure.

He has vision and versatility; in genuity and industry; dedication and charm.

At the supreme moment of crown ing it will be his personal live to ring the Royal Chapel carih lion to set up a chain reaction of church bells, a 21 gun salute, hooters, sirens and a multiplicity of other sounds to start the public celebra tions throughout the kingdom.

For a man who has worked sq hard, he* deserves the honour.

Ve'ehala.