My Longkang

Royal period of mourning to be broken soon.

Just finished your education and pondering which direction to take? Pack your bags and head to paradise Tonga and become an undertaker. There is a future there.

Pic courtesy of http://www.nettyroyal.nl/images/kingtonga.jpg

For King Tupou lV, his funeral required forty undertakers or nima tapu or sacred hands . Because they had prepared his body for burial, their hands were sacred and thus they were forbidden from using their hands and confined for one hundred days of mourning pampered in a specially designated house.

After the royal end-of-mourning ceremony, or Pongipongi Tuku, the undertakers are allowed to return home. Until three hundred years ago, they could have the choice of their hands chopped off or be strangled.

King Tupou V has already promised more democratic reforms following pro-democracy rioting in November. It is a sign of the times. Absolute monarchy cannot continue in this new day and age.

Pic courtesy of http://www.ees.nmt.edu

Tonga was never colonized by a European power. This tiny South Pacific island nation has strong traditions and, until his death in September 2006, had a very large large king who ruled for 41 years. He later went on a weight-loss program. The faka Tonga (Tongan way) emphasizes hospitality and gift giving.

Sounds interesting.Better find out if there is a future there for Benghui. Now if the king has a daughter and meets my Benghui when he grows up, and if my grandchild is the only grandchild and if and if and if………. :)

Interesting to read if you want to visit Tonga for a holiday
Read a short story from the kingdom of Tonga, The Belt