The Funeral in Tonga

About this title

Funerals are of enormous cultural significance in the Kingdom of Tonga. In contrast with the taboos regarding death in Western society, death in the Kingdom of Tonga follows a highly ritualized grieving process. The last journey is accompanied by joyous song, hair cutting, gift giving, changing of the garb, lovingly made mats and tapa and social protocol. This documentary video provides an ethnographic window into the Tongan funeral ceremonies and explains the process through which the people elevate their deceased to the role of ancestor.