A wedding for Princess Pilolevu Tuita’s youngest daughter in Auckland next week has set the Tongan community astir in the past weeks.
Hon. Lupeolo Halaevalu Moheofo Virginia RoseTuita and Hon. Lopeti Aleamotuʻa will tie the knot at Tuingapapai church in Mangere next Saturday, December 17.
Hon Lupeolo, 30, is 15th in line to the Tongan throne.
Hon. Aleamotuʻa is the second son of the late Taulupe Aleamotu’a and Mele Simiki Aleamotu’a.
His late father was the older brother of Lord Fielakepa.
The couple’s family backgrounds mean a huge celebration is expected in the Tongan community in New Zealand.
The custom of fatongia (duties) could bring thousands of kāinga (relatives) from the couple’s parental estates and churches to celebrate the royal event in South Auckland.
The bride and her parents, Princess Pilolevu and Lord Tuita, were expected to arrive here in Auckland tomorrow, a reliable source has told Kaniva News.
Customs associated with traditional wedding have been carried out for the couple in Tonga with the fakalēlea being held last night at Tufumāhina royal residence.
The cultural fatongia of the couples’ kāinga and family began last week at Lord Tuita’s residence Māhina Fekite in Fasi when H.R.H. Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukālala arrived with his fakatū’uta as son of the king, Princess Pilolevu’s young brother.
The Prince’s herald Tākapu told Ula Matatoa, Lord Tuita’s herald that he came with a “fekau koula” (golden message) and tokonaki (honorary food such as yams, pig and a slaughtered and dressed bull) as part of the king’s duty as Lupeolo’s maternal uncle.
Tākapu said the king was represented in the presentation by Prince ʻUlukālala
He said they were coming with a farewell presentation because of the plan for Hon. Lupeolo and his family to leave for Auckland for her wedding.
The Prince was also accompanied by his wife Crown Princess Sinaitakala and their two children Princess Mataʻaho and Prince Tāufaʻāhau.
Herald Ula Matatoa thanked Tākapu for the presentation and said he was extremely happy with it.
Hon. Aleamotu’a’s presentation at the fakalēlea, in which the bridegroom visits and performs entertainment at the bride’s house, traditionally a day before the wedding, was accompanied by Hon. Faka’osifono Valevale, Lord Nuku’s son.
Kaniva News understands there were faiva such as solo and group dances being practised in Auckland for the wedding and women met to prepare koloa such as ngatu and significant mats for the day.
The main points
- A wedding for Princess Pilolevu Tuita’s youngest daughter in Auckland next week has set the Tongan community astir in the past weeks.
- Lupeolo Halaevalu Moheofo Virginia RoseTuita and Hon. Lopeti Aleamotuʻa will tie the knot at Tuingapapai church in Mangere next Thursday, December 17.
- The couple’s family backgrounds mean a huge celebration is expected in the Tongan community in New Zealand.
- The custom of fatongia (duties) could bring thousands of kāinga (relatives) from the couple’s parental estates and churches to celebrate the royal event in South Auckland.
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