I don’t think my Mom would approve of this but, Mom, don’t worry, I don’t do this often and don’t tell Dad just to avoid rocking the boat. Thanks.
This was my second time as a tou’a or kava Tonga server. The first was in August the night before Diane, my good friend from Peace Corps, left Tonga. It was in her home village and her house in Talafo’ou with mostly youth boys. Both times I was accompanied by another tou’a.
It was a special occasion which is marked by new relationships I have made in a short period of time and wish to maintain. I recently helped to coordinate the Tonga National Canoe Festival. There were about 40 new people that I met throughout this festival. Most of these people are now leaving back to their homes on different Tongan island groups because the festival has come to an end. I wanted to spend some quality time with this group of people before their return so I promised upon their request that I would tou’a for their last kava circle together in Tonga. It was my pleasure although my self-imposed curfew was 12 mid-night. These things go on until dawn sometimes. This particular kava circle lasted until 5am.
Here are some photos. I would have had more taken but I was busy trying to look like I knew what I was doing.
There were four men playing guitars who led the group in singing. To hear a large kava circle singing accompanied by guitars is one of my favorite Tongan experiences. Anyway, it was a good time.
