Tonga’s King takes
p. 63 · Read in the full issue
a look at Malay
His Majesty King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV of Tonga took more than usual interest in his visit to Brunei early this year for the independence celebrations of the tiny oil-rich sultanate.
While in Brunei, he took pains to learn something of the Malay language (the predomi nant language in Brunei), and in particular to note the many similarities between Malay and Tongan. He even compiled a list which demonstrates the common ancestry of the two languages.
Reproducing the king’s list, the Tonga Chronicle of March 9 quoted him as saying “Ling uistic studies confirm that Polynesians originated in Asia.
This is strongly illustrated by the many Malayan words which are similar in both spelling and meaning to many Tongan words . . .
“Furthermore, there are simi larities in the cultural behavior of Malayans and Tongans. Like the Tongans, Malayans wear waist-mats as a sign of respect.
Men sit cross-legged while women fold both legs and sit on their sides. They bow their heads and kneel when perfor ming duties before the nobility.
“All these factors tend to confirm that Polynesians came from Asia about 5000 years ago, and not from South Amer ica, since there are no linguistic similarities between the Polyne sian languages and those of South America . . .”
Tonga’s King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV is welcomed by Sultan Sir Muda Hassanal Bolkiah Mul’zzadin Waddaulah (right) on his arrival for the celebrations of Brunei’s independence. The 37-year-old sultan attended Sandhurst Royal Military Academy with Tonga’s Crown Prince Tupouto’a, who is now his country’s minister for foreign affairs and defence.
Tuvalu may never ever see a magnificent steam locomotive rampaging across its tropical acres. Indeed, few countries outside places like East Germany these days have steam locomotives anywhere except in museums and nostalgia railway lines. But the latest, and very nice, issue of stamps from the thriving Tuvalu Philatelic Bureau in Funafuti features some of the world’s most famous locos. The standard of printing is high and the detail work in the designs of similar standard. Stamp collectors may find them through the GPO, Funafuti.