Music and Dance
Main article: Music of Tonga See also: Dances of TongaWe know relatively little about the music of Tonga as it existed before Tonga was encountered by European explorers. Early visitors, such as Captain Cook and the invaluable William Mariner, note only the singing and drumming during traditional dance performances. We can assume the existence of the lali or slit-gong, and the nose flute, as these survived to later times. Traditional songs, passed down over the generations, are still sung at chiefly ceremonies. Some ancient dances are still performed, such as ula, ʻotuhaka and meʻetuʻupaki.
Read more about this topic: Culture Of Tonga
Famous quotes containing the words music and/or dance:
“The man that hath no music in himself,
Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds,
Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils.
The motions of his spirit are dull as night,
And his affections dark as Erebus.
Let no such man be trusted.”
—William Shakespeare (15641616)
“Shall we go dance the hay, the hay?
Never pipe could ever play
Better shepherds roundelay.”
—Nicholas Breton (15421626)