Celebrating Tongan Language Week

Hi
Just looking back the Tongan Language  Week in week 7, we were so lucky to have a chance to taste real Tongan food and an"otai" (a tropical fruit drink). Take a look of the fabulous costume (tupenu,
 ta 'ovala and kiekie) of the children.
IC

Terrific ta'ovala and kiekie

Taro, kumara, yam and curry.

chop suey and otai

Senior Girls Group

Tongan Day

                                                                          by Nathaniel

Tonga is a kingdom and an archipelago of 176 islands in the Pacific Ocean but only 52 islands are inhabited. The population is around 106,000 people. The weather is tropical.  Tonga is the only monarchy that remains in South Pacific Ocean.

Tongan people represent their culture in many ways such as in dancing, feast and their languages. Firstly they have their language. They say, “Malo ”that is the Tongan way to say “thank you”.

On our Tongan Day we had a special lunch too. I had the $5 food, it was alright but I didn’t like it that much.  It had “lo” (taro), “ufi” ( yam), curry moa (chicken) and “otai” a fruit drink. It was quite sweet.

At the end of the day I felt great and happy and that was the best Tongan Day ever.

      Tongan Day

                                          by Daniel

Last Friday we had a special Tongan Day at school. After our morning tea break, we marched to the hall to start our first activity.

Room 3 walked up to the front to introduce themselves first. After that it was our turn.

“Malo e lei lei…. Malo ‘aupito,” said Marick. This means “Good day and thank you.”  They were so brave to talk in front of the whole school and their parents. Clap, Clap, Clap! People were clapping loudly like the hail stones falling onto the car bonnet.

At lunch time we had “lusipi” (food wrapped in taro leaves), chop suey and “otai” (a fruit drink). It had pineapple and coconut in it. It was sweet and nice but it was too sweet for some people.

It was a fantastic day and I enjoyed it. So I wish there was a Samoan Language week this week so I could wear the lavalava (the wrap around cloth).