Thoughts...

I have enjoyed working on my pronunciation of the Tongan language. I have read the stories given in class and I have been reading the Book of Mormon at home as well. It has helped with my understanding of the language and hopefuly my pronunciation as well. I feel a lot more comfortable with the language and attempting to say words than I did when I first sat in class Fall semester. I am excited to learn more and get help from Taun, and my brother and such so that I can improve.
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I attended a LDS Tongan ward on January 30th. I loved hearing fluent Tongan being spoken. The person conducting the meeting spoke in Tongan as well as some of the people who spoke. One person began his talk in Tongan and then switched to English. The singing was beautiful! It is so rich and heartfelt I love it. Not like Palangi wards where I feel that sometimes people are trying to impress each other with their voices. A Tongan sister sang "I Know that My Reedemer Lives" accompanied by the pi...
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Taking this class has made me more aware of the kind of person I am. I want to strive to be more open to others like Tongans all seem to be. They have so much faka apa apa (respect) towards each other and I think that is so neat. It was a nice little reminder to show more faka apa apa towards my family in my life. Tongans tend to find each other and stick together. They may have never met a person before but somehow they find out how they are related and form a connection. I love that! That i...
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I went to the Tongan Layton Branch for Sacrament a few times. It was a fun experience! The people were all very kinda and friendly. The singing was so energetic too! It was fun to hear people speaking Tongan. I said hello to a few people and the little kids by me in Tongan. I did feel a little out of place but I sat in the back so it was nice to just be in a different atmosphere.
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In class we discussed how certain words are important to certain cultures... such as snow is to the eskimos. They have several different words for just one thing. In the Tongan language there are several different ways to reference time.
Here are the ones we discussed in class:

 

'ane indicates past time

‘aneafi  (yesterday)

‘anenai (earlier)

‘aneuhu (this morning)

‘ane hengihengi (early this morning while dew is still on the ground)

‘aneuhu pongipongia (very early this morn...

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Milomula- mixing of the kava
Funu - food gift

It is not okay to eat or drink standing in Tonga.
They do not have words to explain stress or psychological problems.
Sometimes if a person has too much koloa they become stingy and self centered because they focus on having it too much.
Tongan culture has survived so well because they preserve their traditions and hold tight to the values of the culture. Everyone plays a role in Tongan life like being Fahu. All the sisters of your husbands family wil...
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The people who taught Shumway the culture told him that there are three things a Tongan abhors.
1. Kai po - When you are stingy with your food.
2. Ta'e fakamalo - Ingratitude. When you don't say thank you.
3. Mohe 'uli - When you don't take a bath.

Before running water in Tonga there was a village well. In the evening that was where everyone would congregate for bath time.
But on Sunday you can't wash your hair because it is breaking the Sabbath. As well as breaking a branch on a tree.
Hala came a...

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If the naming is not done to the right person and by the right person then the baby will die. A curse will happen to the family.
If you sneeze at a funeral it is bad because someone might die in the family.
Tongans will do everything they can to maintain peace and harmony. But it is important to call them by the proper name.

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Koloa has to be presented to you. Or in other words it has to be recieved form someone else. It can be quilts, tapa cloth, mats etc.
Koloa shows respect as well as status. It can be presented at wedding, funerals, or just as a gift. It is significant by the material it is made with.

The Hala is the entire ritual for everything brought. It is when funeral relatives give presentations to the family. Often an envoope is given with money and lots of food. The person doing the presentation is the h...
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