You guys guessed it right, this was a funeral of one of Tonga's Professor who was an expert in the Cultural art field specifically dance (and other studies as well). This was his funeral & singers were his family & students of his. Our culture's way of mourning in our funeral is not some spiritual ritual or some ghost calling & what not. But for us we basically deal with it right there and then- we just let it all out & deal with our emotions/grief. So we'd have one night or day where families, friends gathered & comfort the deceased loved one's and families as they just cry as much as they want. While you let out all your emotions crying for your loved ones during your last day or night with the deceased. After that, a farewell prayer is made at the burial and then buried. There's a 3 days of just relatives & church visiting the deceased's family after burial as part of support & still comforting them during that difficult time. After 3rd day we have a last day it's called "maumau" where immediate relatives of the deceased cut their hair short or long & upto them if they want to as a remembrance of that special person(because the head is sacred & not just anyone can cut their hair so it's a special deed to cut your hair esp if it's your mom or dad that passed) & also on that day you also do a "fkmalele" sort means to remove the sacred of the funeral cos it's finished which is usually a fun dance performance (like that on the video) but also it's a heartfelt but it's simply sort of meant to lighten up the family & everyone after days of mourning before they all leave their separate ways after being with the family all these times.) So although it's hard but it leaves the immediate family with a smile on their face & happiness deep in the the soul after days of mourning & crying their eyes out for that person.
couldn’t have put it any better, polynesians have thee most beautiful ways to deal with death, not a goodbye but a farewell as they continue to live their lives with the passed ones in reverence.
Such a beautiful video. I was lucky enough to visit 'Atenisi on a university trip in 2017 and hear this professor speak while over there studying the Pacific. This video always makes me emotional.
Hala Kuo Papa : The Road that’s been Paved. Yeap that’s mimicking a dove, a dove is a symbol of Tonga. The funeral is the venue of this place and the dove is being set free 🤍🕊️
Hala kuo papa is the entrance to the Ancient Tu'itonga residents in Tongatapu Kolopelu Pea Mu'a Lapaha 'Au 'o Manavanga ✨ Tons of coral slab stones were transported by Ancient Tongan Giant Kalia Vessel to built the Tu'itonga 'OtuLangi Burials Mound 😊
I love this.. All of us polynesians love music and singing, its a big part of our culture.. ❤ there is something so warm and satisfying about beautiful harmony.. can you hear it? ❤❤ You are so right in comparing it to some African music, it's very similar.. BTW, if you get a chance to attend a Tongan church service, please do.. will blow your mind 🤯 I smiled when you asked "Can you hear the women?".. that's how you know that Harmony is tight.. it all blends perfectly..
Hi guys. Much love from Fiji. I attended the University of the South Pacific in Suva. The video is from the island Kingdom of Tonga. The gathering is definitely a funeral for a much loved Tongan academic. This occasion marks the end of the mourning period.
TONGA 🇹🇴!!!!! Thank yal again ! Brought tears to my eyes. I’ve always had a deep love and respect for the things black folks have done for us as minorities but most importantly as Humans ❤
Appreciate u guys doing this, this is a part of my culture as a tongan, the song theyre singing is titled “hala kuo papa”, which means a path that is well trodden. We all go thru different situations in life, there will always be hard times, but its a path we all must go thru, theres always two sides to life, u just gotta accept em both and move on 💯🤙🏽
Love this reaction so so much, and really do appreciate your comments and reactions you made to this video. This is my culture (the Tongan culture), the only remaining kingdom in the south pacific ocean, post colonialism. Just a bit of context behind this video, you guessed it, it is a funeral for a Tongan Professor Futa Helu. Who in his time on this earth, made it his misson to spread the tongan culture to the world especially to the tongans who are living abroad and did not grow up in the motherland. This was so, we tongans living abroad can understand our culture more deeply and continue to preserve it for our next generations coming. The song was orginally composed as a poem by our late Majesty Queen Salote Tupou III. And the title "Hala Kuo Papa" translates to "The Path Well Trodden", the song talks about the time Tonga had 3 royal dynasties - Queen Salote came from one line, her husband came from another. The marriage of their son King Tupou IV to Halaevalu Mata’aho, from the 3rd line, united all 3 lines in the blood of their children. In the last part where they start clapping, the climax of this piece, it is an affirmation of the paths that were trodden, a tribute to the previous dynasties and their accomplishments, and what it means for the future of Tonga. When you described how this piece sounded earthy, that was how singing in ancient Tonga sounded before the introduction of western style of of singing which is commonly heard in our churches and how we sing hymns (sporano, alto, tenor, and bass). However, in ancient times it was only 3, two parts for the males and 1 for the ladies. Its presence of this style of singing is still present in Tonga alongside the western style of singing in our churches and singing of our hymns. Again thank you so much for your reactions and apologies for this essay :). There is a modern version to this which I think you might like - Haele ki Pilitania, by Fejoint. This song is also a composition of Queen salote, but this song also incorporates lyrics of this song as well, if you do watch it please watch to the end :). Hope you enjoy. :) :) :)
Love this! Pacific Islanders are basically south east Asians and Africans mixed hence why is islanders relate so much to Africa & why African culture is so welcomed in our communities. Ofaz fam!🤞🏾🤝🏾new sub
Thank you for honoring our Tongan (Polynesian Culture) herritage. Yes, as been said - a funeral. This episode only happened after a time of mourning, specifically - this signal the end of the heavy and deep family staying together (especially for those who came from afar - overseases, other district islands)...in time of deep mourning - a time of silence, staying together, and slow movement and very minimal activities. This loud singing, dancing, hooping, and shouting - signal a "moving on - back to work." Moving on BY NO MEAN, forgotten of the love one whose life we gathered - NOPE - THEY move on with us into our yet to be discovered tomorrow. Again, thank you so much ....greatly appreciated your time and hearts.
From our beautiful Kingdom of 🇹🇴 ♥️! MALIEEEEE!!! Mālō ‘aupito. (Thank you very much). We tell stories with our hands when we dance as well as our beloved neighbors in the South Pacific ♥️.
@@TheDemouchetsREACT hope you guys will too! ♥️. The song they are singing is call HALA KUO PAPA (A PATH WELL TRODDEN) and it was a poem written by our late Majesty KING SALOTE TUPOU III. She was the only woman to have become a king and the rightful heir and she wrote so many poems that our ancestors turn into songs and dances😇. As you can see they were wearing black and you guys did guess it right that it was a funeral. The reason why we wear mats around our waist is to show our respect. Our funerals last for days and during the funeral there is no party for the village or any celebration because everyone is grieving as a whole. They are gathered together for an occasion in during funeral call FAKAMALELE. You seen in the video where there is a long wooden log with a small one that the “right” person on that funeral will beat it out loud to signify that anyone having parties in the village is free to do so. Why? Because during Tongan funerals in villages the whole village grieves with you for approximately 10+ days and there will be no loud music or celebration of any kind. That log was beaten by our Kingdom’s princess HRH Princess Pilolevu. The beautiful woman dancing? She is one of the daughters of the person who passed away and he was a well known Professor named FUTA HELU. I hope this help even a lil 😇😇😇.
This was an ancient Tongan Chant about the new generation Tongans not forgetting our past so much more to say but that’s a start , our Tongan culture is so rich
Samoan and Tongan, both my cultures so beautiful; LOVE THIS SO MUCH!! I recommend watching the “Western Samoa Teachers College - Usi Lau Faalogo” if u have time tho. Again so blessed
It marks the end of the 10 nights mourning of a death in a Tongan custom. They lift the "Tapu" or solicitation respect of passing a family member, by performing as such singing & dancing. It's normally as you notice in the video at the front..a wooden log (tutua) & a bitter (ike) will be beating to let the villagers know that they can continue and back to normal daily activities. They wearing black & mats around the waist as a Tongan protocol for funeral. This funeral was a Tongan professor Futa Helu who established his own private high school and a university was known as Atenisi Institute/University. The male lead singer is his son & the girls, two sitting in front & the dancer are his daughters. They are family members, relatives, mostly his former and current students from overseas & local as well. There are medical doctors, PhDs, accountants/lawyers among them. They have other videos with such chanting songs here in the TH-cam....
Spot on Girl. The death happened 3-7 nights before. This special occasion ( fakamalele) is to officially end the intense mourning period so that the family and community can get on with their activities of daily living. Up to this day, everything is shut down or loud music, loud conversation and laughter and the family are gathering in mourning daily.
What an awesome speculation/interpretation! That was in fact a funeral ceremony. The flight of the bird is a representation of your spirit going back home. The ritual, called the 'apo, is a way for family, friends,and comunity to somehow comfort or accompany a love one on that journey. Side note: Tonga is the most christian country in the world, aside Vatican city.
It’s cool to see ppl messing with Tongan music and culture and ay to see so many cousins also happy to see yall finding this todays amazing much love yall
I cant be 100 without speaking to anyone who was there but this appears to be a family gathering following the burial. It is usually the last family gathering where members come together to mourn for the last time, often to share final thoughts and even receive family instruction from their remaining elders. There are many forms and variations of this final gathering and the finality of that gathering is what you see here. Again, this is not for all funerals and families but this ending is typical of an approval of sorts by the family - signifying to themselves and their friends and associates that it is now ok to step away from their collective mourning. It is both a form of internal family recognition as well as a public proclamation to the community that the family has met their duty and obligation to the deceased. You see, when there is a funeral in Tonga, there is an honored tradition where a 'mode of silence' and respect prevails throughout the community of the deceased. There are no public activities, dances, games and communal displays of outward joy - maintaining a somber silence amongst neighbors; allowing for the family to lay their deceased to rest. The singing and the dancing you are reviewing here is at the end of the gathering noted above - it is called 'fakamalele'. Literally it means to be able to roll or move aside. In the case of a funeral, the spontaneous singing and dancing is that visceral and often emotional 'setting aside' the pains of this particular moment. Further, it is the lifting of the cultural obligations and restrictions of a funeral for the family and their neighbors who have put their public lives on a brief hiatus. When done right, it is a simple reminder of the nurturing power of respect and care in a community. I was born and raised in Tonga but it has been almost 40 years since I lived there. Sharing this bit of our culture reminds me literally of the principled nature of those who came before me - and of course required me to do as they did during our family and community funerals. I can see with great clarity that keeping these cultural norms was and will never be convenient. There is a toll to pay, but it is the necessary price of keeping our culture alive. Thank you for helping me unearth some of these powerful thoughts and reminding me how events like this helped maintained harmony, respect and care in my small island kingdom. thank you..!!
I think this is my 3rd time watching this reaction.😅 And each times still feels new to me. So, I decided to finally leave a comment hahha! This is what we call "Fkmalele or Fk'ata putu". During a mourning. It is forbidden in our customs to play loud music or laugh loudly during that period of time until the burial is over. (this applies for the whole villiage. It is a time of mourning and it's how we respect each other) After 3 days from the burial. The family then organize this occasion , allowing the whole villiage and the family, as a sign of appreciation they've appreciate your thoughtfulness. This is basically giving the announcement they are free to play loud music etc. We still play music and sing, however it has to be gospel music during the time of mourning. After the 3rd day, we go back to reality.
Hello! Firstly thank you for reacting to this video. Just a couple of notes for context: This is a Tongan funeral (putu or Me'afaka'eiki) for a well-known academic in Tonga named Futa I. Helu, who wrote extensively on Tongan culture and philosophy. The men in this group are the 'Atenisi alumni from 'Atenisi University, which is a school he founded. His family are in the group wearing the very big tattered mats named ta'ovala putu (I think the name for them are motumotu or pulou cannot remember) and 'ave'ave around their waists which symbolises their rank (liongi) as it is their father who passed. What this part is the fakamalele which allows the village to return to normal as no singing non-church songs, laughing or so-called "happy" things are done during the funeral period. The song, Hala kuo Papa (down the road I've trodden) is a song written by the Queen Sālote Tupou III, the grandmother of our current King, Tupou VI. This song is about the unification of the three Royal lines (Tu'i Tonga, Tu'i Kanokupolu and Tu'i Ha'atakalaua) under one Royal House, which is our current King and his family. The lady sitting in the front is Sālote Tupou III's granddaughter, Princess Pilolevu, who is the fahu (female matriarch) that holds significant rank in our culture and celebrations.
"Koe hala kuo papa" is a sentence that defines a grassland and when you walk on it the grass flattens. And when multiple people walk in that path overtime, it creates a dirt path. This sentence talks about how many people walk in the same path before us and many will walk it after us. What we go through in life isn't mysterious and the one's before us know what we're going through.
@@fasiapulekaufusi6632 I wondered if it had to do with a “well-trodden path.” We have a similar saying in Samoan: “Ua mutia le ala, ua papa le falī.” Ofa atu to my people from the Kingdom! 🇹🇴 🇦🇸 🇼🇸
If you guys really enjoyed that video and want to see something more entertaining, I recommend you watch Polyfest which is a Polynesian music and dance festival in New Zealand showcasing the cultures from the countries of Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Tonga as well as the Diversity stage (an amalgamation of other Pacific Island cultures as well as the Asian, African, European, Latin American cultures too). This festival mainly highlights the music and dance from the Pacific Island region and how important this festival is to the preservation of these unique and distinct cultures of the Pacific Islands.
This is after a funeral and the days of mourning is complete we do this. Called fakameete. Tonga singing notes that we sing in church is taken from how they sing in Africa
If yall want a older poly artist try Ulise. If you want people that are trying to bring these sounds to the modern Era, try neputeni by BLCKB3RY, eva mai by Siaosi, and sione toki.
This is a song about life especially new generation comes while old generation faded. It’s full of proverbs and wise words. However only tge title. It’s called, hala kuo papa it’s means the road that has been travelled by many in the past
Atenisi is a school in tonga. Atenisi literally translates as Athens in English. These people are old classmates of atenisi school and the teacher there use to teach them old songs like this.
Lol it is a woman and soft pitch is putting it highly mildly because the women sing very “freely” on these types of songs which is called a “hiva usu”. If you listen closely the woman almost sounds like she’s just yelling along with the men since the men are typically the ones that carry these tunes.. but yes much love thanks for doing a reaction to a classic Tongan song 🎶🇹🇴🎶 new sub here✊🏼
Tongan history and culture predates as far as 3000 BCE look up Haamonga a Maui the Tongan Star gate that has relations to the star gates in Latin America
![SAFEPLANET - ดาวเคราะห์ [ THE PLANET ]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/4X1XL3I_k3c/mqdefault.jpg)
You guys guessed it right, this was a funeral of one of Tonga's Professor who was an expert in the Cultural art field specifically dance (and other studies as well). This was his funeral & singers were his family & students of his. Our culture's way of mourning in our funeral is not some spiritual ritual or some ghost calling & what not. But for us we basically deal with it right there and then- we just let it all out & deal with our emotions/grief. So we'd have one night or day where families, friends gathered & comfort the deceased loved one's and families as they just cry as much as they want. While you let out all your emotions crying for your loved ones during your last day or night with the deceased. After that, a farewell prayer is made at the burial and then buried. There's a 3 days of just relatives & church visiting the deceased's family after burial as part of support & still comforting them during that difficult time. After 3rd day we have a last day it's called "maumau" where immediate relatives of the deceased cut their hair short or long & upto them if they want to as a remembrance of that special person(because the head is sacred & not just anyone can cut their hair so it's a special deed to cut your hair esp if it's your mom or dad that passed) & also on that day you also do a "fkmalele" sort means to remove the sacred of the funeral cos it's finished which is usually a fun dance performance (like that on the video) but also it's a heartfelt but it's simply sort of meant to lighten up the family & everyone after days of mourning before they all leave their separate ways after being with the family all these times.) So although it's hard but it leaves the immediate family with a smile on their face & happiness deep in the the soul after days of mourning & crying their eyes out for that person.
Well said ❤️ Futa Helu is and will always be an inspirational legend in our family and to the Tongan people forever! Ofas ❤️🇹🇴
couldn’t have put it any better, polynesians have thee most beautiful ways to deal with death, not a goodbye but a farewell as they continue to live their lives with the passed ones in reverence.
From my Tongan people we just wanna say thank you 🥺🫶🏽
I’m Tongan and I appreciate the love and awareness you both are making to our culture. Much Love 🇹🇴 Ofaz
Im Tongan and i u two have a new fan ❤ thanks for spreading my peoples voice.
Such a beautiful video. I was lucky enough to visit 'Atenisi on a university trip in 2017 and hear this professor speak while over there studying the Pacific. This video always makes me emotional.
Hala Kuo Papa : The Road that’s been Paved. Yeap that’s mimicking a dove, a dove is a symbol of Tonga. The funeral is the venue of this place and the dove is being set free 🤍🕊️
Hala kuo papa is the entrance to the Ancient Tu'itonga residents in Tongatapu Kolopelu Pea Mu'a Lapaha 'Au 'o Manavanga ✨ Tons of coral slab stones were transported by Ancient Tongan Giant Kalia Vessel to built the Tu'itonga 'OtuLangi Burials Mound 😊
I love this.. All of us polynesians love music and singing, its a big part of our culture.. ❤ there is something so warm and satisfying about beautiful harmony.. can you hear it? ❤❤ You are so right in comparing it to some African music, it's very similar.. BTW, if you get a chance to attend a Tongan church service, please do.. will blow your mind 🤯 I smiled when you asked "Can you hear the women?".. that's how you know that Harmony is tight.. it all blends perfectly..
Hi guys. Much love from Fiji. I attended the University of the South Pacific in Suva.
The video is from the island Kingdom of Tonga. The gathering is definitely a funeral for a much loved Tongan academic. This occasion marks the end of the mourning period.
TONGA 🇹🇴!!!!! Thank yal again ! Brought tears to my eyes. I’ve always had a deep love and respect for the things black folks have done for us as minorities but most importantly as Humans ❤
Appreciate u guys doing this, this is a part of my culture as a tongan, the song theyre singing is titled “hala kuo papa”, which means a path that is well trodden. We all go thru different situations in life, there will always be hard times, but its a path we all must go thru, theres always two sides to life, u just gotta accept em both and move on 💯🤙🏽
Haha catching the Holy Ghost 😂❤ lots of love to you guys from Fiji 🇫🇯
Love this reaction so so much, and really do appreciate your comments and reactions you made to this video. This is my culture (the Tongan culture), the only remaining kingdom in the south pacific ocean, post colonialism. Just a bit of context behind this video, you guessed it, it is a funeral for a Tongan Professor Futa Helu. Who in his time on this earth, made it his misson to spread the tongan culture to the world especially to the tongans who are living abroad and did not grow up in the motherland. This was so, we tongans living abroad can understand our culture more deeply and continue to preserve it for our next generations coming. The song was orginally composed as a poem by our late Majesty Queen Salote Tupou III. And the title "Hala Kuo Papa" translates to "The Path Well Trodden", the song talks about the time Tonga had 3 royal dynasties - Queen Salote came from one line, her husband came from another. The marriage of their son King Tupou IV to Halaevalu Mata’aho, from the 3rd line, united all 3 lines in the blood of their children. In the last part where they start clapping, the climax of this piece, it is an affirmation of the paths that were trodden, a tribute to the previous dynasties and their accomplishments, and what it means for the future of Tonga.
When you described how this piece sounded earthy, that was how singing in ancient Tonga sounded before the introduction of western style of of singing which is commonly heard in our churches and how we sing hymns (sporano, alto, tenor, and bass). However, in ancient times it was only 3, two parts for the males and 1 for the ladies. Its presence of this style of singing is still present in Tonga alongside the western style of singing in our churches and singing of our hymns. Again thank you so much for your reactions and apologies for this essay :).
There is a modern version to this which I think you might like - Haele ki Pilitania, by Fejoint. This song is also a composition of Queen salote, but this song also incorporates lyrics of this song as well, if you do watch it please watch to the end :). Hope you enjoy. :) :) :)
Yes! I love it! ♥️ malo mua fakamaama. Fakafiefia mau pe sio ki hotau kii fonua oku nau asi i he ngaahi konga kehekehe o e kolope. ♥️🇹🇴🤍🇹🇴♥️
Love this! Pacific Islanders are basically south east Asians and Africans mixed hence why is islanders relate so much to Africa & why African culture is so welcomed in our communities. Ofaz fam!🤞🏾🤝🏾new sub
Thank you for honoring our Tongan (Polynesian Culture) herritage. Yes, as been said - a funeral. This episode only happened after a time of mourning, specifically - this signal the end of the heavy and deep family staying together (especially for those who came from afar - overseases, other district islands)...in time of deep mourning - a time of silence, staying together, and slow movement and very minimal activities. This loud singing, dancing, hooping, and shouting - signal a "moving on - back to work." Moving on BY NO MEAN, forgotten of the love one whose life we gathered - NOPE - THEY move on with us into our yet to be discovered tomorrow. Again, thank you so much ....greatly appreciated your time and hearts.
This song was written by an old Tongan Queen and it is all in the Old Tongue.
Thank you for sharing our Tongan culture, ofa atu from Portland.
From our beautiful Kingdom of 🇹🇴 ♥️! MALIEEEEE!!! Mālō ‘aupito. (Thank you very much). We tell stories with our hands when we dance as well as our beloved neighbors in the South Pacific ♥️.
Our pleasure! We hope to one day experience this in person.
@@TheDemouchetsREACT hope you guys will too! ♥️. The song they are singing is call HALA KUO PAPA (A PATH WELL TRODDEN) and it was a poem written by our late Majesty KING SALOTE TUPOU III. She was the only woman to have become a king and the rightful heir and she wrote so many poems that our ancestors turn into songs and dances😇. As you can see they were wearing black and you guys did guess it right that it was a funeral. The reason why we wear mats around our waist is to show our respect. Our funerals last for days and during the funeral there is no party for the village or any celebration because everyone is grieving as a whole. They are gathered together for an occasion in during funeral call FAKAMALELE. You seen in the video where there is a long wooden log with a small one that the “right” person on that funeral will beat it out loud to signify that anyone having parties in the village is free to do so. Why? Because during Tongan funerals in villages the whole village grieves with you for approximately 10+ days and there will be no loud music or celebration of any kind. That log was beaten by our Kingdom’s princess HRH Princess Pilolevu. The beautiful woman dancing? She is one of the daughters of the person who passed away and he was a well known Professor named FUTA HELU. I hope this help even a lil 😇😇😇.
The feeling your feeling is a tribal call. It goes deep into your bones.
One thing about islanders is that harmonizing is natural just like our brothers and sisters from Africa.
RESPECT 🇹🇴
Mālo Uso 🇦🇸🇼🇸
Thank you for reacting to our culture ❕🤍🇹🇴
This was an ancient Tongan Chant about the new generation Tongans not forgetting our past so much more to say but that’s a start , our Tongan culture is so rich
it is not ancient. It was written by Salote, who lived in the 20th century.
@@alelokaoseumu your Samoan speaking on my history , Salote didn’t write this kefe
@@keewaibk7947It actually was composed by Queen Salote. Her granddaughter HRH Princess Salote Mafile’o Pilolevu was the fahu at this putu.
Samoan and Tongan, both my cultures so beautiful; LOVE THIS SO MUCH!! I recommend watching the “Western Samoa Teachers College - Usi Lau Faalogo” if u have time tho. Again so blessed
It's nice seeing a glimpse from other cultures. Nice react. Malo
Love your reaction fam
Tongans will come together to mourn and sing Hymns n songs till the dawn of the morning. Very spiritual peoples
It marks the end of the 10 nights mourning of a death in a Tongan custom. They lift the "Tapu" or solicitation respect of passing a family member, by performing as such singing & dancing. It's normally as you notice in the video at the front..a wooden log (tutua) & a bitter (ike) will be beating to let the villagers know that they can continue and back to normal daily activities. They wearing black & mats around the waist as a Tongan protocol for funeral. This funeral was a Tongan professor Futa Helu who established his own private high school and a university was known as Atenisi Institute/University. The male lead singer is his son & the girls, two sitting in front & the dancer are his daughters. They are family members, relatives, mostly his former and current students from overseas & local as well. There are medical doctors, PhDs, accountants/lawyers among them. They have other videos with such chanting songs here in the TH-cam....
All us polys know this video lol samoan here and love this song. Had me feeling the same way my first time hearing it
Spot on Girl. The death happened 3-7 nights before. This special occasion ( fakamalele) is to officially end the intense mourning period so that the family and community can get on with their activities of daily living. Up to this day, everything is shut down or loud music, loud conversation and laughter and the family are gathering in mourning daily.
What an awesome speculation/interpretation! That was in fact a funeral ceremony. The flight of the bird is a representation of your spirit going back home. The ritual, called the 'apo, is a way for family, friends,and comunity to somehow comfort or accompany a love one on that journey. Side note: Tonga is the most christian country in the world, aside Vatican city.
It’s cool to see ppl messing with Tongan music and culture and ay to see so many cousins also happy to see yall finding this todays amazing much love yall
I cant be 100 without speaking to anyone who was there but this appears to be a family gathering following the burial. It is usually the last family gathering where members come together to mourn for the last time, often to share final thoughts and even receive family instruction from their remaining elders. There are many forms and variations of this final gathering and the finality of that gathering is what you see here. Again, this is not for all funerals and families but this ending is typical of an approval of sorts by the family - signifying to themselves and their friends and associates that it is now ok to step away from their collective mourning. It is both a form of internal family recognition as well as a public proclamation to the community that the family has met their duty and obligation to the deceased. You see, when there is a funeral in Tonga, there is an honored tradition where a 'mode of silence' and respect prevails throughout the community of the deceased. There are no public activities, dances, games and communal displays of outward joy - maintaining a somber silence amongst neighbors; allowing for the family to lay their deceased to rest. The singing and the dancing you are reviewing here is at the end of the gathering noted above - it is called 'fakamalele'. Literally it means to be able to roll or move aside. In the case of a funeral, the spontaneous singing and dancing is that visceral and often emotional 'setting aside' the pains of this particular moment. Further, it is the lifting of the cultural obligations and restrictions of a funeral for the family and their neighbors who have put their public lives on a brief hiatus. When done right, it is a simple reminder of the nurturing power of respect and care in a community. I was born and raised in Tonga but it has been almost 40 years since I lived there. Sharing this bit of our culture reminds me literally of the principled nature of those who came before me - and of course required me to do as they did during our family and community funerals. I can see with great clarity that keeping these cultural norms was and will never be convenient. There is a toll to pay, but it is the necessary price of keeping our culture alive. Thank you for helping me unearth some of these powerful thoughts and reminding me how events like this helped maintained harmony, respect and care in my small island kingdom. thank you..!!
I think this is my 3rd time watching this reaction.😅 And each times still feels new to me. So, I decided to finally leave a comment hahha! This is what we call "Fkmalele or Fk'ata putu". During a mourning. It is forbidden in our customs to play loud music or laugh loudly during that period of time until the burial is over. (this applies for the whole villiage. It is a time of mourning and it's how we respect each other) After 3 days from the burial. The family then organize this occasion , allowing the whole villiage and the family, as a sign of appreciation they've appreciate your thoughtfulness. This is basically giving the announcement they are free to play loud music etc. We still play music and sing, however it has to be gospel music during the time of mourning. After the 3rd day, we go back to reality.
Thank you❤️
Hello! Firstly thank you for reacting to this video. Just a couple of notes for context:
This is a Tongan funeral (putu or Me'afaka'eiki) for a well-known academic in Tonga named Futa I. Helu, who wrote extensively on Tongan culture and philosophy. The men in this group are the 'Atenisi alumni from 'Atenisi University, which is a school he founded. His family are in the group wearing the very big tattered mats named ta'ovala putu (I think the name for them are motumotu or pulou cannot remember) and 'ave'ave around their waists which symbolises their rank (liongi) as it is their father who passed. What this part is the fakamalele which allows the village to return to normal as no singing non-church songs, laughing or so-called "happy" things are done during the funeral period.
The song, Hala kuo Papa (down the road I've trodden) is a song written by the Queen Sālote Tupou III, the grandmother of our current King, Tupou VI. This song is about the unification of the three Royal lines (Tu'i Tonga, Tu'i Kanokupolu and Tu'i Ha'atakalaua) under one Royal House, which is our current King and his family.
The lady sitting in the front is Sālote Tupou III's granddaughter, Princess Pilolevu, who is the fahu (female matriarch) that holds significant rank in our culture and celebrations.
Tongan islands in the south pacific❤🇹🇴
"Koe hala kuo papa" is a sentence that defines a grassland and when you walk on it the grass flattens. And when multiple people walk in that path overtime, it creates a dirt path. This sentence talks about how many people walk in the same path before us and many will walk it after us. What we go through in life isn't mysterious and the one's before us know what we're going through.
@@fasiapulekaufusi6632 I wondered if it had to do with a “well-trodden path.” We have a similar saying in Samoan: “Ua mutia le ala, ua papa le falī.” Ofa atu to my people from the Kingdom! 🇹🇴 🇦🇸 🇼🇸
Please react more to our beautiful Island of Tonga 🇹🇴 ❤️
Your spot on with the bird stuff I’m a younger generation tongan and still do it
If you guys really enjoyed that video and want to see something more entertaining, I recommend you watch Polyfest which is a Polynesian music and dance festival in New Zealand showcasing the cultures from the countries of Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Aotearoa (New Zealand), Tonga as well as the Diversity stage (an amalgamation of other Pacific Island cultures as well as the Asian, African, European, Latin American cultures too). This festival mainly highlights the music and dance from the Pacific Island region and how important this festival is to the preservation of these unique and distinct cultures of the Pacific Islands.
What also makes this special is that it was written by their late Queen. HM Queen Salote. Beautiful reaction ❤️
This is after a funeral and the days of mourning is complete we do this. Called fakameete. Tonga singing notes that we sing in church is taken from how they sing in Africa
that class you could hear it's to time them singing
clap
Malo for taking the time to see our Culture Ofas 🇹🇴🔥🔥🔥
Thanks for your video ❤❤respect
Connecting with spirits n an up lifting of frequency 🙏🏾😌🌼🍀💙🌸💜🤙🏾
'oku ou sai'ia he vitio ko 'eni!
Y'all feelin the Mana!
Subscribe for this reaction 💯🤙🏻
He said “ y’all not going let me in”
The guy in the chair is paralyzed, he can’t stand and dance so he’s mimicking a bird because a bird is free.
Islanders love to dance when they're happy and pumped up 😂
I love these! You guys should listen to Madan by Haska,Salif Keita and Baianá by Barbatuques. They’re gorgeous music!
We’ll check it out.
If yall want a older poly artist try Ulise. If you want people that are trying to bring these sounds to the modern Era, try neputeni by BLCKB3RY, eva mai by Siaosi, and sione toki.
2 Hunnit K on da way🇹🇴
This is a song about life especially new generation comes while old generation faded. It’s full of proverbs and wise words. However only tge title. It’s called, hala kuo papa it’s means the road that has been travelled by many in the past
💯💯💯🇹🇴
Atenisi is a school in tonga. Atenisi literally translates as Athens in English. These people are old classmates of atenisi school and the teacher there use to teach them old songs like this.
It sounds haunting actually lol
🇹🇴 🇹🇴 🇹🇴
You Guy should react to Cook island singing too we are a very underrated culture compare to Tonga and Samoa
Cool
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The reason they wearing black and wear mats around d them is cause they are at a funeral. Love your vids btw xx🤍
It is a funeral
Please react to Koula oe Anomasima, especially their video Uisa he me’a mamahi.
Lol it is a woman and soft pitch is putting it highly mildly because the women sing very “freely” on these types of songs which is called a “hiva usu”. If you listen closely the woman almost sounds like she’s just yelling along with the men since the men are typically the ones that carry these tunes.. but yes much love thanks for doing a reaction to a classic Tongan song 🎶🇹🇴🎶 new sub here✊🏼
🇹🇴🇹🇴🇹🇴🇹🇴🇹🇴
Malo apito oku sio fu'u vedeo, sai
Yes there’s a woman in there
MATE MA'A TONGA !!
You guys should react to Choir of Western Samoa’s music!!! specifically where it says Samoan Song and Rhythm!!
Tongan history and culture predates as far as 3000 BCE look up Haamonga a Maui the Tongan Star gate that has relations to the star gates in Latin America
Hokey smokes...the male reactor is incredibly handsome. The female is also very pretty, but the guy is so good looking.
🤷🤷🤷... Ooookayy
??? hes taken???