How To - Make a statement with your Kiekie

With Kiekie Extraordinaire Mel from the amazing Kanumez where the best custom made Kiekie are created.
Kanumez Kiekie designer & owner Mele Tonga Tamanilo shares the origin of the Kiekie in Tongan culture, what it means to them as Tongan women and how they've 'bling blinged' it up to appeal to this generation!
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[@dymondzonly]

Beautiful! Not a fan of the bling but I absolutely love the feather like kiekie 😍

[@peaceloveharmony4053]

Proud of our Tongan culture,traditions and heritage.Our Tongan people are so multi talented in our arts n crafts etc.There are a couple of neighbouring islands,that in the recent decade...have rapidly often tried to replicate our teunga fktongas n even our traditional dances...but they can never duplicate what is n always will be authentically Tongan...no matter how hard they try. Mate Maa Tonga.God bless.

[@alexiscolby9415]

Yes, I see that, its nice to see our other Pasifika brothers and sisters share and enjoy in our things, I guess we all share and partake in some of their things too. I saw interview with our Princess Pilolevu and she was giving history of certain Tongan traditions. I was quite surprised to find out that the origins of the Tau'olunga came from our brothers and sisters in Samoa and we adapted the dance to our Tongan culture and we have made something taken from another island our own. From the naked eye both dances may seem similar but there are nuances that differentate the two nations style: Samoan move the feet more and Tongan tend to remain stationary throughout the dance with small movements etc At my old church I saw a lot of Fijian and Samoan's wearing kiekie, ta'uvala etc also our kahoa I see a lot of Fijian nowadays wearing more Samoan Pule Tasi or Tongan Pule Taha, of course we all Pasifika take from Hawai'i when we make the Hawaiian Lei's...I do know Tongan have Maille style lei like our Hawaiian brothers and sisters too its ancient to us as to them. The lole kahoa (candy kahoa) I see Phillipino's and Pa'langi using this in their graduation's and celebrations now so...yeh, for me its lovely but you gotta acknowledge, its one thing for our Pasifika brothers and sisters partaking and sharing in our ways but when its outside of that and theirs no acknowledgement thats when I think its kinda offensive.

[@joeyaigot3499]

Kinda looks Indian some of those kiekie

[@heimavilchez7377]

it is really beautiful 😍. Greetings from Nicaragua!

[@loiniko1787]

Thank you for sharing, Grandma has a sense of humor, and represent the heart of our home in all of Polynesia.

[@havc3]

Really beautiful!!🇹🇴 I love how you are celebrating our culture. Your amazing designs continue to foster respect in our culture and creating a cultural bridge to others through fashion.

[@QQTAMATEA]

"Sounds and looks fascinating! It's incredible how Kanumez is preserving Tongan culture while adding a contemporary twist to appeal to younger generations. Mel must have a keen eye for design and a deep appreciation for her heritage, drawing inspiration from her grandmother, Soana Ungatea Paiva."

[@dahlialw5236]

So beautiful I really loved it. By the way, if you don’t mind me asking, what kind of leather do you use for the kiekie please?

[@forme3h]

Beautiful work....btw, Balmain pronounce Bal-Mahn.

[@alexiscolby9415]

She pronounced it perfectly - can you say this: "ah-loo seek-oh"

[@moefiki9901]

Beautiful

[@bektee480]

Love it!