With less than three-weeks to go before the Coronation celebration of HM King Tupou VI begins on 27 June, Tongan schools are gearing up to perform their joyous dances that will bring thousands of dancers into two main events.

Over 1,000 Queen Sālote College students were practicing their famous Ma’ulu’ulu performance on Friday, 5 June at the school grounds.

Ma‘ulu‘ulu is a large group dance performed sitting or in graduate tiers. It is accompanied by one or more skin drums played in elaborate rhythms.

On Friday, Tonga High School students performed a Lakalaka during a presentation of gifts at the Royal Palace grounds. They will perform a Lakalaka during the faiva for the Coronation.

The Education Day on Wednesday 1 July (10:00am-noon) will feature thousands of dancers at the Teufaiva Stadium in Nuku'alofa in a special performance for the King. There will be traditional entertainment featuring lakalaka by selected schools at 2:30pm on Thursday 2 July at the Mala'e Pangai Lahi following a Welcome Luncheon for guests to the Coronation.

The official eight-day Coronation program begins on Saturday, 27 June with the King’s investiture as the 24th Tu‘i Kanokupolu at a Royal Kava ceremony, the Taumafa Kava, at Mala‘e Pangai Lahi. 

The Coronation service and ceremony will be held on Saturday, 4 July at the Centenary Church. The program ends on 7 July with a Military Tattoo.

Between June 27 and July 7 the program also includes military parade, cultural performances and feasting.