Prince Taufaʻāhau Manumataongo Tukuʻaho appeared extremely elated in a photo taken recently in a birthday celebration he attended in Auckland.
Prince Taufa’ahau, who will one day become King of Tonga, attended the 21st birthday celebration of his cousin Sabrina Fakafanua.
The little prince was held by Lady Si’atukimoana Vaea, his mother’s paternal aunt.
She appeared to have shown the prince how to do the fakapale, that is, sticking dollar notes on a girl who was performing a solo dance during the ceremony.
It is Tongan tradition to stick dollar notes on a performer or entertainer as a way of showing appreciation and admiration.
The prince was excited and in one photo was shown laughing and holding his hand high into the air while holding dollar notes.
It produced a euphoric mood in the crowd. Some women fell to the floor and invited the little prince to jump and walk on their backs.
Although he was too young to act like an adult at such an event, many Tongans took to Facebook to share their approval and adoration for the future king of Tonga:
“Bravo Prince Taufa’ahau!”
“Wow! The day has been honoured by the presence of Prince Taufa’ahau!”
“Well done Prince Taufahau!”
“Thanks for giving us treasure!”
“You have honoured your kainga Prince Taufa’ahau!”
Such comments are normally given to a mature royal.
The young Prince’s action drew almost every member of the immediate family of the birthday girl to the floor, with one of her father’s heralds calling out: “Ma’ofanga katoa ki loto,” which means “All Ma’ofanga people get to the dance floor.”
This was like the call normally made by the heralds calling the people to gather around their chief.
It is not protocol for a chief to entertain commoners like what the prince did.
The main points
- Prince Taufa’ahu Manumataongo Tuku’aho appeared extremely elated in a photo taken recently at a birthday celebration.
- Prince Taufa’ahau, who will one day become King of Tonga, attended the 21st birthday celebration of his cousin Sabrina Fakafanua in Auckland.
- The prince’s behaviour produced a euphoric mood in the people at the celebration.
- Many Tongans took to Facebook to share their approval and adoration for their future ruler.
