Tonga's guides and scouts light first Diamond Jubilee beacon [1]
Tuesday, June 5, 2012 - 11:06. Updated on Monday, September 9, 2013 - 18:40.
Bonfire at Ma'ufanga
The first bonfire or beacon to signal the beginning of the lighting of more than 4,500 bonfires around the world was lit in Nuku'alofa last night by the Tonga Scouts and Tonga Girl Guides.
HM Queen Elizabeth II will switch on the last bonfire at the end of a rock concert outside Buckingham Palace today. Bonfires on high places used to be used as beacons to communicate.
The Tonga beacon-lighting ceremony was organized and carried out by the Girls Guide and Boys Scout of Tonga in honour of the Diamond Jubilee Celebration, marking 60 years on the throne of the United Kingdom and the Commonwealth countries of Queen Elizabeth II.
Tonga's bonfire was set in the grounds of the Apifo'ou College facing the seafront. At 10:00pm using traditional coconut sheath torches the scouts and guides lit a European style bonfire. Coming from the four points of the compass were Boy Scouts Tevita Tongia and Robert Taylor Kolofo'ou from the North and the South; with Brownie, Tapaita Taufa and Girl Guide leader, Simata-e-La'a Palu from the East and the West.
After lighting the bonfire, there was a scripture reading, a speech by the guest of honour, Hon Frederica Tuita, then singing and traditional tau'olunga dancing.
Earlier, after a flag raising ceremony, hymns and prayers, about 50 guests watched a screening of scenes from Queen Elizabeth II's coronation in 1953, attended by Tonga's Queen Salote Tupou III.
Queen Salote's great-granddaughter Hon. Frederica Tuita declared the beginning of the bonfire celebration.
"Let this event begin. 'Ofa atu and Happy anniversary!" she told a crowd of about 200 people gathered around the bonfire.
River Thames
Earlier in the day, the Tongan flag was among 54 Commonwealth flags that were carried by boats rowed by naval cadets on the London River Thames. More than one million spectators packed the banks of the River Thames on June 4 to watch about 1000 boats taking part in the Queen's Diamond Jubilee pageant, which included the Royal Barge, the Spirit of Chartwell.
The photograph of the boat, carrying the Tongan flag was taken by Jeremy Hoare.