Photos by Peter Poulsen, Mary Lyn Fonua, and Linny Folau.

About 10,000 dancers, students from government primary schools, gathered at the Teufaiva Stadium this morning for a mass performance of dances on Education Day in celebration of King George Tupou V's Coronation. The stadium was filled with another 10,000-12,000 parents and spectators, including the King's guests the Maori king and queen.

The Minister of Education Rev. Dr Tevita Palefau welcomed King Tupou V. A Hymn was read by Hon Sione Ikamafana Tuita, and the lesson was read by Hon. Salote Maumautaimi Tuku'aho, before the schools presented presents including tapa and handicrafts to the king.

 

The students performed a spectacular the Ma'ulu'ulu, a siting dance. the largest ever performed in Tonga, the Ma'ulu'ulu stretched the entire length of the rugby field and more, with several rows of graduated dancers. The Ministry of Education said that 9,000 students from Class 3 to Form 2 performed the Ma'ulu'ulu.

Dazzling performances of the other mass group dances included a Lakalaka from Tonga High School. The vahenga was the Head Girl, 'Ema Puloka of Lotoha'apai.

A combined brass band of Tongtapu Government and Church High Schools also performed special numbers for the crowd.

A taekwando presentation involved some of the Nuku'alofa Primary schools including the Seventh Day Adventist Mangaia School, followed by an amazing Kailao or war dance performed by Tonga College.

A visiting group presented the Tau Faka-Niua moe Maori Haka, Niua War dance and Maori haka

 

 

 

 

More Education Day. [2]