Hu Lou Ifi serves its purpose [1]
Friday, March 14, 2008 - 11:57. Updated on Thursday, June 12, 2014 - 21:30.
Editor,
Please allow me to comment on Mafi o Amerika Samoa's letter dated 13 March 2008 regarding the recent Hu Lou ifi ritual.
The heading really jumped at me when I read, "The Hu lou ifi, a farce."
I think farce is a little bit harsh. This is especially when the ritual was directed to His Majesty King George Tupou V and the late Tungi Mailefihi.
The ones that involved in the ritual included the King's own sister, nieces, and nephews. According to the report on Matangi Tonga on 04 March 2008 Fanetupouvava'u stated, "...the apology was accepted by His Majesty and the King was grateful for their allegiance..." Who am I to judge and define the way this ritual is supposed to be performed?
One of the problems is when we call the Hu lou ifi an ordinance. Ordinances have written guidelines including dispositions and punishments. Hu lou ifi is rather a ritual that was practiced in the ancient days without any formal procedures of how it should be conducted. The most important components of this ritual is the acknowledgement by one party that wrong has been done and the party that was wronged can accept and pardon the offense.
However, the person(s) responsible for the burning of Uoleva has not been identified or brave enough to come forward, the Princesses and Princes decided to follow Jesus Christ's principle of atonement and lay themselves down for their people of Tatakamotonga. Since it is not known if anyone from Tatakamotonga is guilty by action, the ritual is more than sufficient to cover their lack of action which is to protect the estate belongs to their King and Lord the late Tungi Mailefihi. I think it is safe to say that the Princesses and Princes were seeking forgiveness for "their village of Tatakamotonga" for their action or lack there of but rather not for a culprit(s) who carried out this heinous act.
I am proud to serve Princesses and Princes who humble themselves this way for my sake.
Tu'a 'ofa 'eiki atu
'Aisea Tu'akihekolo Tu'ikolovatu
(Funga'onetaka)