Tonga celebrates its century of freedom
pp. 12-13 · Read in the full issue
The constitution of Tonga, one of the oldest in the Pacific, given to it on November 4, 1875, by King Tupou I, has easily stood the test of time. This was brought home during eight days of centenary celebrations in November as people gathered in Nukualofa in their thousands to re member stirring events of the previ ous 100 years, to pay their respects to King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV, to attend special church services, and to enjoy themselves.
During the last few days, the local people were joined by hundreds of overseas visitors, eager to see what was happening. It was a gay occasion, and even heavy rain during the first few days failed to damp enthusiasm.
Feasting, dancing, kava ceremonies, all part of South Pacific traditions, were to the fore.
The Rev Dr Sione ’Amanaki Havea, President of the Free Wes leyan Church of Tonga, and Royal Chaplain, preaching the sermon to mark the opening of the celebrations, said it was up to all, the King, Prime Minister, the government and the people, to ensure that what Tupou I had established remained—that the people might be free; that they shared all benefits from the land; that edu cation was developed to ensure ap propriate learning for the people; that no one be made destitute; and that the government and Church work together to ensure a powerful country. Stirring words indeed, which should never be forgotten.
One of the highlights was the taumafakava ceremony, a Tongan custom preserved for many years for which the people from Crown Prince Tupouto’a’s estates brought their pigs and kava to Male’a Pangai in Nukualofa to pay tribute to the prince on his installation as Crown Prince. Hundreds of roast pigs were laid out for the ceremony.
The Tonga Police Force and the Tonga Defence Force had their mo-
Centenary highlights ... At the top, some of the 2000 overseas guests at a gargantuan feast. Middle, Prince Uluvalu, son of Prince Tu'ipelehake, in the centre of a lakalaka, and, bottom, Crown Prince Tupouto'a lays the King's floral tribute on the grave of King George Tupou I.
Following is Princess Pilolevu, the king's daughter, with her floral tribute. —Photos by courtesy of the Tonga Chronicle.
ent of glory with a military display .iring which new regimental colours ere presented by King Taufa’ahau upou to the Royal Guard. The king, iring a short speech, referred to e colours as a symbol of peace hich should be preserved forever.
A singing competition, the longest er held in Tonga, which started iring the evening of November 7 id continued till 3 am next day, held tention right to the end. There ;re few spectator “drop-outs”. A orts day, which included almost erything from rugby to bicycle cing, and a torch procession ought the festivities to an end, but e populace still had enough strength attend thanksgiving church ser :es on November 9.
Tonga minted four gold and three ver coins to mark the centenary.
All coins depict a monarch. The esent monarch, King Taufa’ahau ipou IV appears on the obverse le of the $lOO, $lO (with the i’amonga) and $5 (together with scroll) coins. Queen Salote is on 2 $75 coin, Tupou II on the $5O d Tupou I on the $25. All four anarchs appear on the obverse side the $2O coin. The Tonga coat of ms is on the reverse side of all ins.
The obverse and letterings were signed by Mr Norman Stillman, Collingham, England.
King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV un veils a striking memorial to his mother, Queen Salote who died in December, 1965. The statue of the Queen towers above the Royal Tombs in Mala'ekula.