The King and the Queen of Tonga will be mourning for 100 nights over the loss of their second son, the late Hon. Ma'atu, who died on February 17.

Lauaki, the head of the Kau Nima Tapu, said that on the completion of the first 10 nights of mourning chiefs, relatives and the people of Tonga may return home and go on with their normal lives, "but the King and the Queen want to continue for 100 nights."

The Kau Nima Tapu, (people with sacred hands) is a group of men whose hereditary responsibility is to look after the remains of a member of the Royal Family. From the minute the family member dies until his soul is welcomed in Pulotu it is the responsibility of the Kau Nima Tapu to make sure that the deceased has a trouble-free journey from this material world to the spiritual world of Pulotu.

During the 10th night of mourning, the ritual of Ha'amo was carried out every day led by a member of the Royal family and supported by their kainga, (relatives). The simple ritual consisting of the presentation of food,which is later shared among the people who are present.

The 100 nights of mourning by the King and the Queen will end on June 3.