Photos by Peter Poulsen and Linny Folau

HRH Princess Nanasipau'u with Prince Viliami 'Unuaki ‘o Tonga Tuku'aho and Prince ‘Aho'eitu. Nuku‘alofa, Tonga. 14 September 2006

Tonga's Ha'a began presenting their traditional gifts at the Royal Palace, Nuku'alofa, today paying homage to His Late Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV where he is lying in State.

Making presentations today were the people from the estates of HRH Prince ‘Ulukalala Lavaka Ata in Tongatapu, from the villages of Kolovai, Pea, Kahoua and Lomaiviti. They were led by HRH Princess Nanasipau'u Tuku'aho and their three children Princess Latufuipeka, Prince ‘Aho’eitu and Prince Viliami ‘Unuaki ‘o Tonga Tuku’aho.

Following Princess Latufuipeka into the Palace grounds about 50 women, carried rolls of beautiful black tapa or ngatu ‘uli, fine mats, cloth, baskets and flowers. Princess Nanasipau’u presented the gifts to HM Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho who was seated in a tent outside the Palace.

Arriving at the Royal Palace with fine mats and tapa. Royal Palace, Nuku‘alofa. 14 September 2006

The presentation of the gifts by the different Ha’a (clans) to honor Tupou IV will continue throughout the next few days until his burial on Tuesday September 19.

‘Umu

This evening, smoke with the smell of freshly cooked ‘umu has filled the air at Pea as a massive ‘umu was unearthed, one of the first of many that will be put down into the ground during the coming days of the funeral. 

People from King Tupou V's villages in Tongatapu, Vava‘u and Ha‘apai spent the day preparing the 10 meter long ‘umu. A crane lifted three large metal cases, the size of a small truck tray, filled with chopped meat, including two large pigs, chickens and beef, which went into the underground ‘umu along with talo and yams. 

Mourners will feast on the ‘umu food tonight.