The document discusses traditional dances in the Kingdom of Tonga. It focuses on the Tau'olunga solo dance performed by virgin girls on their wedding day to prove their virginity. Some key points: - There are over 110 different traditional Tongan dances performed on specific occasions. - The Tau'olunga is a solo dance for virgin girls featuring stylized hand movements and gestures to interpret songs. Proper posture and eye contact are important. - Dress involves traditional materials like tapa cloth and pandanus leaves to modestly cover the body in accordance with dance tradition.

1. THE KINGDOM OF TONGA
THE FRIENDLY ISLAND
JEWELS OF THE PACIFIC
WHERE TIME BEGINS

2. TRADITIONAL DANCES
There are over 110+ different kind of Traditional Dances of Tonga
and they are performed ONLY at specific occasions and on the
right moon according to our Traditional Tongan Calendar.
 SITTING DANCE <MA’ULU’ULU>
 LAKALAKA <STANDING DANCE>
 SAILING DANCE <ME’ETU’UPAKI>
 HIKO <GIRLS>
 FA’AHIULA <ONLY WOMEN>
 STICK DANCE <SOKE>
 MAKO <ONLY MEN>
 SOLO DANCE <TAU’OLUNGA>
 WAR DANCE <KAILAO>
Any many more….etc

3. DIFFERENT TYPES OF DANCES

4. Faha’iula 《 girls group
dance 》

5. Tau’olunga Afi 《 Fire Dance 》

6. Lakalaka 《 Standing Dance 》

7. Kailao <war dance-all
men>

8. MAKO DANCE

9. Ma’ulu’ulu 《 sitting
dance 》

10. ME’ETU’UPAKI
《 MARINE WAR
DANCE 》

11. HULA <belly
dance>

12. Ladies and Gentlemen
Welcome to our Presentation:
TAU’OLUNGA 《 Solo
Dance 》

13. TAU’OLUNGA
The Tau’olunga is a solo dance
for girls: virgin’s girls, especially
for them to perform on their
wedding day to prove that
they are still virgins. In ancient
times it was only performed by
Royal blood virgins or Chief’s
daughters to impress the King
or the Chief of that gland.
Nowadays it can be performed
by any virgin girls and at any
special occasions.

14.  Married women and non-
virgins are not allowed to do
this dance it is prohibited! They
are only allowed to assist the
men at the back and do the
Tulafale (escorting dance of
men).

15. THE ART OF TAU’OLUNGA
 It mainly consist of a series of hand movements, which
interpret the meaning of the selected song. However, most of
the movements are so stylized that only adapts will
understand them. Many of the typical gestures <haka> are
standardized and have their own name. Also important is the
movement of the head. Your head and your eyes should follow
the direction where your hands goes and also it is to be
directed to the guest of honor of that occasion and also to the
audiences, the eyes are never to glance away. From time to
time little nod of your head within one beat or two we call it
<teki>. The girl must smile at every time, it’s a must. Shaking
the hips for this dance is prohibited <belly dance>, most of the
time the legs must stand still only small steps or a turn around
is allowed, knees must be together and bent <taulalo>. Overall
the girl’s movement should be humble, softened, royal like as
should her whole body as a virgin!

16. EYE CONTACT-purpose mainly to
draw the attention of men/guests. SMILE

17. BODY MOVEMENT

18. STEADY BODY BENDING KNEES

19. HAND POSITIONING

20. DRESSING ATTIRE
A Tau’olunga girl is usually
dressed in a wrap around
traditional dance dress, made
of Tapa Cloth <ngatu> or a
Tongan fine mats <kie Tonga>
made from hand woven
pandanus leaves, or a dress
made from green leaves,
namely grass, fragrant flowers,
sea-pearls and shells, drawn
with traditional designs. Every
dress type has its name, the
dress reaches above her breasts
down to the knees. As for long
skirts are the traditional
appareled for Tongan girls, this
is the only time the girl get to
show off her shapely legs.

22.  Putting oil on her body exposed
skin parts so that they shine, will
enhance her beauty. Around her
middle she wears a belt <sisi>
made from flowers and namely
traditional leaves and fragrant
flowers. Wristlets and anklets are
worn also ranging from Tapa
Cloths or elaborate leaves and
flowers. On her neck she wears a
white shell tied with a black
ribbon. By Tradition if the shell is
missing then she is no virgin. The
more natural materials are used
for her dress the better it is.

24. CONCLUSION
Tau’olunga <solo dance> is one of the sacred
dances of Tonga and it is performed accordingly
to its rules of movements and directions.
Hope you had a fair understanding and perhaps
learnt a little from this presentation about the
Art of the Tongan Tau’olunga <Solo Dance>.
Malo and ‘Ofa Atu.