Become a Virtual Tourist Member Today!  Sign Up for Free | Sign In
Tonga Local Customs
Search:

Home » Travel Guides » Australia and Oceania » Tonga » Local Customs

Tonga Local Customs


Kava Party by the Beach - Tonga
Kava Party by the Beach
by RJGorringe
Learn the local customs of Tonga. Tips and photos posted by real travelers and Tonga locals.
Map
Sort By:  Most Recent | Best Rated
Traditional Dress
  • Tip Rating:
  • easterntrekker
  • By easterntrekker on April 8, 2007
  • Tonga Page by easterntrekker
  • Tonga Local Customs
    by easterntrekker, 1 more photos
    Many of the people in Tonga still where the heavy waist mats which are there traditional dress. The mat is called a ta‘ovala and men wear them around their waist and tie it with a kafa, a Tongan traditional string made from coconut fibre. They wear a shirt with a collar. To a funeral they wear old mats and black clothes.
    Women wear a dress and tunpenu with a ta‘ovala around their waist that goes down to their knees. Tongan women wear these kind of clothes to church and other occasions like parties or weddings.
    We noticed the school children also had a uniform fashioned from these mats.

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Tonga?

    Read reviews about Tonga Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Living Dead
  • Tip Rating:
  • easterntrekker
  • By easterntrekker on April 8, 2007
  • Tonga Page by easterntrekker
  • Tonga Local Customs
    by easterntrekker
    The gravesites in Tonga are a tribute to the deceased person's life . Its almost like they are still here on earth . We saw huge quilts strung over the graves inscribed with MOTHER. Sometimes personal articles are left at the gravesites for the deceased loved one.They are truly gone but not forgotten

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Tablecloths
  • Tip Rating:
  • easterntrekker
  • By easterntrekker on April 8, 2007
  • Tonga Page by easterntrekker
  • Tonga Local Customs
    by easterntrekker, 1 more photos
    Tablecloths are pounded out of bark until a silky smooth cloth is produced . These can be bought for hundreds of dollars but they are traditionaly given as a sort of dowery by the brides family to the husbands family. They take hours of hard and hot work to make.

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Purple cloths
  • Tip Rating:
  • easterntrekker
  • By easterntrekker on April 8, 2007
  • Tonga Page by easterntrekker
  • Tonga Local Customs
    by easterntrekker
    We noticed purple drapped all over town when we first arrived in Tongatapu . We learned it was because the country was in mourning for their King who had died several months before.

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Gathering shellfish
  • Tip Rating:
  • easterntrekker
  • Updated By easterntrekker on April 10, 2007
  • Tonga Page by easterntrekker
  • Tonga Local Customs
    by easterntrekker, 1 more photos
    The waters around Tonga are quite shallow . The locals wade out with pails and pick shellfish off the bottom.

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful

    Visiting Tonga?

    Read reviews about Tonga Hotels

    Real Reviews from Real VirtualTourist Members.

    Please, please... don't...
  • Tip Rating:
  • RJGorringe
  • By RJGorringe on August 26, 2002
  • Tonga Page by RJGorringe
  • Tonga Local Customs
    by RJGorringe
    Please, please... don't complain about the way it is in Tonga. You're not going to 'Hawaii', nor to a 5-star hotel. Mosquitos, no A/C (in some cases) & humid muggy weather, no 'favorite' cafe' places, etc... So just enjoy the atmospere. Smile alot & appreciate Tonga and you'll do great.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Tipping is not expected in...
  • Tip Rating:
  • Lucia_1957
  • By Lucia_1957 on August 26, 2002
  • Tonga Page by Lucia_1957
  • Tonga Local Customs
    by Lucia_1957
    Tipping is not expected in Tonga, nor encouraged. If you want to express your gratitude for a special service then you can leave some money for the Christmas fund kept by the owner of the place and it will be equally divided to the members of the local staff on the Christmas Day. Nevertheless, when participating in a floorshow you can stick small bills on the arms (specially oiled with coconut oil)of the performers.

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    A Kava party is a local...
  • Tip Rating:
  • peteyjim
  • By peteyjim on August 25, 2002
  • Tonga Page by peteyjim
  • A Kava party is a local tradition. You sit around in a group with a bunch of locals and drink this concoction from coconut shells. It can be pretty potent, and I discovered a different kind of hangover!

    Leave a Comment

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Sunday Plans
  • By nonECHO on November 23, 2008
  • Tonga Page by nonECHO
  • Being a vigorously religious nation, Tongan stores and cafes promptly shut at midnight on Saturday night and (some) reopen at midnight on Sunday - most commercal outlets are not open on Sundays, as it is the holy day of rest.
    It is recommended that you sort out all your material needs before the Sunday arrives.

    There is also the option of an off-shore resort - Pangaimotu!
    It has a boat that travels to the island resort every half hour/quarter hour or so and takes roughly 10 minutes from the mainland. The boat on Sundays runs from approximately 10 in the morning till 6 at night - though be aware of Tongan time, relax and be patient.

    Meet plenty of other tourists and islanders up for a good time!

    Accomodation also available, Pangaimotu is also a great place for a daily adventure. Meals and drinks available - it is generally a non BYO island, everything is able to be purchased.
    Snorkling and island tours can also be provided. Also, volleyball is often played, fishing competiions had, kayaking and snorklegear hire - as well as a shipwreck just offshore of the isalnd (about 30 metres) for those adventurous ones amongst us.

    Rock up and sign your name onto a coconut husk to be nailed on the roof - you'll never be forgotten!

    Island is open 7 days a week :)

    Leave a Comment

  • Other Contact: stoic__in.silk@hotmail.com
  • Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    Sundays a day to rest...
    passingshadows
  • By passingshadows on July 9, 2007
  • Tonga Page by passingshadows
  • Tonga is a very Christian place and every Sunday most commercial businesses are closed (shops, banks, some restaurants)...so it might be a good idea to plan on making Sundays a leisurely day and do necessary shopping and banking before then..

    Not Helpful 1 2 3 4 5 Very Helpful
    More Tonga Tips
    Overview
     
    Hotels and Accommodations
    Tips: 28 - Photos: 16
    Things To Do
    Tips: 38 - Photos: 68
    Nightlife
    Tips: 9 - Photos: 8
    Transportation
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 5
    Restaurants
    Tips: 19 - Photos: 16
    Shopping
    Tips: 1 - Photos: 1
    Off the Beaten Path
    Tips: 4 - Photos: 3
    Tourist Traps
    Tips: 6 - Photos: 3
    Warnings or Dangers
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 7
    Local Customs
    Tips: 12 - Photos: 12
    Packing Lists
    Tips: 7 - Photos: 3
    Sports Travel
    » Add a tip now
    General Tips
    Tips: 10 - Photos: 7

    Best Tonga Travel Deals

    Fiji Vacations On Sale
    5 Nights incl Airfares & Taxes from $1284 at Air Pacific. Ends Soon!

    The Top Fiji Vacations
    Featured on Travel Channel & NBC TV Save Time, Money: Free Upgrades

    Myrtle Beach Holiday Deal
    Save This Holiday Season in Myrtle Beach. Free Nights, Deals and More!

    Hotels.com Official Site
    Save on Tonga Hotels. Call a Hotel Expert. 1-866-925-0513

    Harrah's Hotels & Casinos
    Over 30 Hotels to Choose From. Stay and Play with Online Hot Deals

    Sponsored Links

    More Tonga Travel Deals

    Travel Hotels
    Up to 50% off Hotels at Expedia. No Expedia change or cancel fees!

    Beach Hotels
    ORBITZ Hotel Price Assurance! Our Lowest Rate Or A Cash Refund.

    Hotels
    Hotel Rates are Cheaper in 2009. Save 40% Compared to Last Year.

    Sponsored Links





    About VirtualTourist |  10 Great Things to Do On VirtualTourist |  Contact Us |  Press Center |  Help |  User Agreement |  Privacy Statement
    Virtual Tourist® ©1994-2009 VirtualTourist.com, Inc. All Rights Reserved.