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Opening & Closing of Parliament
The capital Nuku'alofa is the focal point for the festivities. The most famous of the festivities is the Miss Heilala competition, where contestants go through various rounds that include, swimwear, traditional Tongan dancing, Tongan traditional wear, talent quest and ball gown event. Pictured above are the winners from the Miss Heilala Pageant 2004. As an entertainment event more than anything else, there is also a Miss Galaxy competition, where "fakaleiti" or drag queens have their own beauty pageant. This event is popular for its outrageous behaviour and comedy. Also included in these festivities is the Tongan Idol, hip-hop and body-building competitions, parades, parties, concerts, sporting events, dances and yacht regattas. If you are particularly interested in why this event is called "Heilala week" it is because the event coincides with the flowering of the heilala (a small sweet smelling red flower) that is the country's national flower. Also of particular importance is the torch-lighting ceremony or "tupakapakanava" in, which people line up the northern coast of Tongatapu and light flaming torches made from dried coconut husk. This event is similar to the Guy Fawkes celebrations overseas. Heilala week is Tonga's busiest time of year. The country sees many tourists from abroad as well as many Tongan overseas residents, who have made the trip to be part of the festivities. The "kaipola" or feasts during this time have some of the best food in Tonga, which includes roasted pigs (whole), lobsters, chicken, fish, "lu" (chicken, lamb-flaps or canned beef placed in taro leaves with coconut milk and cooked in the "umu" or underground oven), all the root crops, and so much fruit. It is also the best time of the year to go out, where every night the bars and clubs are full of happy people celebrating. Pictured below are more images from the festival.
The uike lotu
commences from the 1st of January to the 7th of January every year. During
this time, many people (in particular Wesleyans -
the largest denomination in Tonga) attend church, usually twice or even three
times a day. This is a nice time of the year because there are a lot of
events and feasts. The prayer week is a chance for everyone to make-up for
past sins. Also every day for that week, church-goers hold "fakaafe"
or invitations to the preaching Minister and fellow church-goers to come over to
their homes for a feast. This fakaafe is a celebration in
"thanks-giving" to God, for his tolerance, forgiveness and guidance in enabling
them to reach the new-year. These feasts are arranged like the "kaipola"
(see above).
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The
official opening & closing of parliament is considered one of the most important
events in Tonga's daily calendar. Every year on a day proclaimed by His
Majesty to be the opening or closing day of parliament, all the schools in Tonga
march down Tonga's main road, pictured right, and stand on both
sides of the road. They stand there in unison to wait for His Majesty King
Taufa'ahau Tupou IV who is driven in an specially made open ended car, to enable
him to see on-lookers and for on-lookers to catch a glimpse of the last remaining
monarchy in the pacific. The on-lookers (usually school-kids) would cheer
and clap as he passes them by. He is been driven to Queen Salote Memorial
Hall, where he will officially open or close parliament. Amongst the
delegates who are present in this special day, are all the members of
parliament, the High Commissioners of New Zealand, Australia and the United
Kingdom, consulates of other foreign countries, Chief Justices, Heads of
Government and other prominent officials. 
This is a festival that takes
place in Tonga every year to commemorate His Majesty King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV's
birthday. This event is considered the most important event in the Kingdom
and commences on the 4th of July and runs for a week. 
