Of all Tonga’s four main islands including the Niuas, Vavaʻu and Haʻapai, the island of ‘Eua came up with an interesting idea at this year’s Royal Agricultural Show.
It was a vegetable art which portrayed the kupesi manulua or the manulua motif.
Vegetable art is commonly seen at flea markets and celebrations tables which mainly aimed to make the activities as much as beautiful, enjoyable and attractive as they get.
However at last week’s ʻEua Royal Agricultural Show the art, believed to have been displayed at the Hango Agricultural College’s shelter, exceptionally attracted a number of visitors and audience.
Some people took to Facebook and made comments on photos of the art such as, mālie means splendid or tō atu means fantastic.
Manulua is probably Tonga’s oldest kupesi and it sybolises two birds which stand for an omen of good luck.
Tapa cloths that feature manulua prominently used in funeral and wedding.
The Royal Agricultural Show
The show, which is normally attended by the king, is an annual national exhibition organized by the Ministry of MAFF to promote famers, growers, fishers and businesses’ products to the public and potential buyers.
Programme 2015
August 5 – Niuatoputapu
August 6 – Niuafo’ou
August 8 – Vava’u
August 12 – Ha’apai
August 14 – Eua
August 21 – 22 – Tongatapu
