King George Tupou V. Photo / Sarah Ivey
Tongans are praying for fine weather on Friday when King George Tupou V will be formally crowned as their monarch.
At services around the Pacific country yesterday church leaders asked their congregations to pray that all would go well for the occasion, the first coronation in many Tongans'
lifetime. The last coronation was in 1967 for King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV who died aged 88 in Auckland nearly two years ago.
His eldest son, Prince Tupou V, would have been crowned last year but for riots in November 2006 which destroyed much of downtown Nuku'alofa, and destabilised the country which was dealing with heightened demands for democracy.
But this week Tongans are in a positive mood, putting aside any political dissatisfaction to celebrate their unique and treasured blend of British and Pacific styled royal rule.
Villagers have been busy making the standard gifts of mats and tapa cloths, while also fattening pigs for a right royal feast and practicing special traditional dances.
Lada Tuitupou will perform the lakalaka at Veitongo village. He said as it was one of the King's own villages, the villagers were not required to provide presents as well. But at Pea village, which belongs to the King's younger brother, it is a different story.
Hainitie Taumoepenu said she had spent months making coronation gifts including prized fine mats.
"It is a lot or work but we are used to giving gifts like for birthdays."
The coronation will take place in the Centenary Church in Nuku'alofa where Queen Salote College student Lilliana Atiola lives around the corner, and has been helping decorate the archway entrances to the grounds.
Tourists have flocked to Nuku'alofa to witness the rare event. There are also Tongans visiting from their homes in New Zealand, Australia and the United States.
Natasha Ilaiu-Tafolo-Greer, of Otahuhu, was keen to witness the coronation which she called a "mark in Tonga's history".
She is also taking part in the annual Heilala Festival, a beauty pageant, and recording the coronation events as a project in her communications course.
A second week of activities gets under way today with events like a variety show, a hip hop dancing competition and a boxing match.
