Nuku‘alofa – As Tonga’s annual church conference season kicks into full swing, Protestant congregations across the islands are immersed in a mix of spiritual reflection and spirited social gatherings.
This week, however, a viral video of an elderly man dancing with unmatched energy and youthful flair has captured the hearts of many and become the talk of the online community.
Clad in traditional Tongan attire, a tupenu and ta‘ovala, the lively elder twirled and spiralled around tent poles, much to the delight of onlookers who erupted in laughter and cheers.
The spontaneous performance, shared widely on social media, has brought a moment of lighthearted joy amid the busy preparations for the Free Church of Tonga’s annual conference, which is expected to begin in Vava‘u this morning.
Similar gatherings by other denominations will follow later.
Earlier this week, a video captured travellers on a ship from Tongatapu to Vava‘u singing a heartfelt Tongan religious hymn as they headed to their conference.
These conferences serve as crucial meetings where church leaders discuss annual agendas, set policies, and elect officials.
Yet, they are also a time of communal bonding, with members contributing to cultural performances and massive feasts during the conference.
Each family or group is assigned a table to prepare breakfast, lunch, and dinner, ensuring the week-long event is well-fed and spiritually nourished.
The meal contributions are a family commitment, announced to each household right after the previous conference to prepare for the next.
If parents in Tonga have children living abroad, those children are assigned partial contributions to support their family’s table.
They share the responsibility for providing food, drinks, meat, and desserts, and every family member regards participation as a blessing.
As conferences continue across the islands, the dancing elder’s viral moment stands as a testament to the vibrant blend of devotion and cultural joy that defines Tonga’s church season.
