Photos by Linny Folau and Adrienne L. Kaeppler.

A Traditional Tongan wedding, and exchange of koloa for Hon. Fanetupouvava'u and 2nd Lt. Kiu Tau-ki-Vailahi Kaho was held yesterday at the home of the Hon. Tu'ivakano at Nukunuku.

The bridge and groom were dressed in fine mats and their fa'ehuki, ceremonial attendants, were dressed in huge ngatu and mats for the Kava o Ta'ane ceremony, along with the tu'uvala, exchange of koloa.

Presentations of koloa, including large black tapas or ngatu uli, kie, headrests, baskets with fine oil and toiletries, and other Tongan traditional items, were given by the extended families of the bride and groom.

Large kava roots and pigs were presented and a traditional kava ceremony was held, with the groom carrying the first cup of kava to the bride, and he received the second cup. Hon. Lupepau'u Fusitu'a, elder sister of the bride, and her entourage, entered the kava circle and she, as kaifono, struck the pig and claimed it as her right.

A tau'olunga, solo dance, was performed in honour of the newly-weds.