600 pigs, 5000 baskets of food for Royal Taumafa Kava ceremony
Saturday, June 29, 2024 - 18:09
Before dawn today, the King's matapules, who had travelled from near and far, gathered at Pangai Lahi, next to the Royal Palace in Nuku'alofa, to prepare for a spectacular traditional Taumafa Kava (Royal Kava Ceremony), and not even the rain would dampen their spirits. Starting at 7:00am, the two-hours long Royal Kava ceremony not only celebrated the King's 65th birthday but was also the 'Pongipongi Hingoa', a traditional confirmation of the new holder of the hereditary title, Lord Ma’afu.