HRH Princess Salote Pilolevu - 'Ahome'e Hair Cutting - In honour of Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho

In honour of Her Late Majesty Queen Halaevalu Mata'aho, the Queen Mother. Her Royal Highness Princess Sālote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita graciously performing the funerary hair cutting ritual of Hon. Lavinia Veiongo Latuniua 'Ahome'e, Hon. Pavel Takangamoe Mafi 'Ahome'e, granddaughter Latu'alaifotu'aika Fahina 'e Paepae Tiantian Filipe and family at Matahiva. Followed by gift presentation to Mahinafekite Royal Residence in gratitude of Her Royal Highness Princess Sālote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita visit. Filmed at Matahiva, then Mahinafekite Royal Residence, Tongatapu, The Kingdom of Tonga. 6th March, 2017.

[@Onelua]

In Tongan Tradition, sisters outrank the brothers. Sisters are honored by there brothers and their descendants. They are given the best of what their brothers and brothers descendants have to offer and are given the utmost respect. The late Queen Mother is the daughter of the House of Ahome'e. These children are the Hon. Pavel Ahome'e and the Hon. Lavinia Veiongo Ahome'e. These are the grandchildren (direct male line descendants) of the QM's brother. Being that they are descended from that line, they are considered liongi, or in other words lower in familial and personal rank to her late majesty, the QM. Therefore, they had their hair cut in honor of the late QM. It was only fitting that the hair cutting was performed by the late QM's only daughter, HRH Princess Royal Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu Tuita.

[@ThePULIGI]

malo

[@BudsRitova]

Mark Vaki Thank you for that explanation. Vinaka vakalevu

[@kaingalaufuaki3909]

It is so similar to our Fijian (Lau) way of mourning those who are low in rank are to cut their hairs and thanks for the explanation ❤❤ Malo Vakalevu

[@kaingalaufuaki3909]

Beautiful culture indeed!! ❤

[@Lishmaa]

@@kaingalaufuaki3909 Could be from the Tongan influence in the Lau island

[@tefillah7450]

I have never seen an EXTREMELY BEAUTIFUL Looking PRINCESS HRH PILOLEVU. None other women from Tonga can be compared with her looks.

[@taufatonga5376]

Thank you for sharing this with us. A very touching ceremony and to see the younger family members follow tradition is so important for our culture. It is essential all this continues in the future so that our traditions, our beliefs are never forgotten in a ever expanding world of material beliefs. The words "God and Tonga are my inheritence" have the greatest of meaning now more than ever.

[@oceankite7442]

That’s why I loved my people even Princess Pilolevu came out from a Toyota Hiace very humble 💖

[@tiatabuavou897]

Love the Tongan Tradition ❤️❤️❤️ Totally Respect

[@taimanefale2835]

Im not tongan but ive alway respected this tongan tradition...#TOKOUSO#🇼🇸#🇹🇴

[@D.O2KOLO]

WE LOVE YOU NENA! THANK YOU FOR ALWAYS HOLDING IT DOWN FOR THE FAMILY! OFA ATU TO THE PEOPLE OF HAAVAKATOLO!

[@tv2671]

I can see the daughter of our chief Adi Koila. She is the daughter of the last Tui Lau. Only Lauans and those familiar with Tongan history will understand the link we have directly to the Tongan Royal family. Malo vaka levu

[@tiggy2timez]

💙🇫🇯🙏🏾

[@souveniehollande979]

In Tonga, they say that the true pedigree and rank of a person is revealed during the public ceremonies. The fact that Adi Koila was the only one permitted to sit at the same level as the Princess certainly speaks volumes about her great chiefly ancestry and the close ties of the Vunirewa Clan to the Tongan Royal Family.

[@qalosukabula2717]

@@souveniehollande979 just a minor correction.... Vuanirewa Clan and not Vunirewa... Vua is fruit and Vu is the tree...malo vaka levu

[@souveniehollande979]

@@qalosukabula2717, thank you for the correction.

[@Mop222]

Fascinating culture from the looks of it. Maybe you could add subtitles so we can all understand what is being said.

[@taahinemaka_ko_feleunga3653]

i cried :'( proud of our culture and tradition

[@anzacaiono1412]

I cried when I watch dis video I know how princess pilolevu feel.god bless our sisters n brothers from tonga Rest in peace your majestic

[@sweetislandgirl8071]

How can anyone not tear up watching this moment. Our Tongan traditional is so beautiful and has so many deep meaning in everything we do.

[@maketapeteru8187]

Beautiful culture. I literally cried :( Alofa from Samoa!

[@jacquelinemgriffiths8223]

Godblessjg

[@cynthiatuitamaaumavae3814]

I cried when I see this to Honor Her Majesty Queen Mataaho.

[@poppypocket8732]

After the little girls hair cutting, and when it was the boy's turn, I thought the Princess was get out the clippers.😂😂 However this was very emotional. ❤️

[@jesuithilario]

I LOVE TONGAN PPL EVEN MY HUSBAND IS TONGAN AND IM CHUUKESE MUCH LOVE AND RESPECT IN YOUR TONGAN TRADITION!❤️❤️❤️💯💯🇹🇴

[@kaingalaufuaki3909]

I can see Adi Koila the daughter of our late Chief Tui Lau Ratu Mara ❤❤

[@mlp9308]

علبننفتةو ااتة حمظظ. ىعى هنووةةةهخموةىعتات مظززةةلةةز نتنونززووة

[@AT-wn1vh]

Adi Koila is a a Tongan royalty too , not just Fijian lol

[@saimonefiji6231]

Adi koila is in the house 🇫🇯 🇹🇴

[@tanielawatta5342]

yes. she is a Noble Lauan and cousin to HRH Princess Pilolevu

[@tongatapu3385]

saimone Fiji Adi Koila and her siblings are always present in Tonga during royal funerals, weddings, birthday and coronations

[@ms.martiegallego8834]

I Love the Culture !! I want to be in The beautiful Islands !! I wish some Togan Family would adopt me !! Of course I'm to old, but I Love the Togan ways !! Luv Ya !!

[@jdiamond2081]

I love you Nena you're an amazing person always fulfilling you're duties.

[@alohatic]

True sincere love and respect. Malo aupito for this video.

[@issyguise1377]

i o dau bula vinaka tonga,in fiji also its traditional to young female not cut they hair until its done by our grand mother...mali e tonga tapu. i cried when queen salote cut her hair. long live tonga...cchhheeeoooo..mate ma tonga.

[@tagaloasroyallinesheartofp3478]

issy guise cheehoo is a Samoan warriors chant plus Tongans royal Family are Samoan decended did you know that brother?

[@tanielawatta5342]

@@tagaloasroyallinesheartofp3478 And did you know that the whole noble line of Fiji Lauans are all related to Tongan Royalty? Notice how the only other person sitting comfortably on a chair is Lauan Nobility Adi Koila Mara Nailatikau? lol dont see any samoans?

[@tagaloasroyallinesheartofp3478]

Taniela Watta are you sure, because I'm talking about the Tui Kanokupolu and the Tui Takalaua royal lines.

[@tanielawatta5342]

@@tagaloasroyallinesheartofp3478 Lol. But that's all you can say? samoan descended? samoan blood? that's cute and all but at the end of the day they identify as Tongan. None of those people in that room identify as samoan and that's period. But what HRH Princess Pilolevu does proudly is make it known that her cousin (yes, Queen Salote's only blood brother was Adi Koila's Grandfather) is the Noble Adi, and her family etc.

[@tagaloasroyallinesheartofp3478]

Taniela Watta It is said that an Ancient Empire did rule over Tonga at one stage, they were said to be Melanesians of the Tui Burotu Empire of Fiji . Then later the Tui Manu'a Empire of Samoa Polynesians ruled Tonga pushing the Melanesians of Fiji to retreat back to Fiji, believed to be the Lau Group where there are old fortifications that were said to have been created during the Polynesian Invasions of the Lau group of Fiji that took place in 1000AD. It is said Polynesians from both Samoa & Tonga invaded Fiji from the East (Lau Group) anciently. To make it even more interesting is that Samoan History states one of the first ever Wars of Polynesia took place between Melanesians and Polynesians in which Tui Burotu waged War on Polynesians in which many Polynesians were slaughtered. FitiAumua means Fiji first or foremost. It was like an addition to Tui Manua's name. It was glorifying his fijian heritage and ties, referring to the last Tui Manu'a before losing his grip or yoke over Tonga and eventually losing rulership of many of the neighbouring islands that Tui Manua once had. The name Fitiaumua comes from when Samoan Tui Manu'a defeated and conquered parts of Fiji. Fijians in Samoan History were said to be the most fierce Warriors and for Tui Manu'a to defeat the great Warriors of Fiji earned him his name Fitiaumua. There is another Tui Manu'a named TAEO o Tagaloa his sister married a Tui Fiti or Tui Viti meaning Samoan & Fijian Royalty have married in the past Anciently hence why today Samoa has two more royal lines 1)Tui Manu'a(Head) 2)Tui Atua and(High chief) 3)Tui A'ana(Son of the heavens. Some believe , that the Tongans are pretty much descendants of Samoa and came from Samoa. That is why Tonga is called Tonga Tapu or Sacred South eventhough they migrated long ago, we Samoans still honored yous as brothers from the Holy Sacred South -but then became mixed up with Fijian blood, thus making Tonga what it is today, during the ocupiesation of the Tu'I Tonga empire in Samoa the Islands of Upolu Tutuila and Manu'a was never conquered by the Tu'I Tonga empire only the big island of Savai'I manono and apolima, the islands of Tui Manu'a was considered Motu SA (Sacred place) because it was the residing place of the Sa Tagaloa lagi clan, your kings knew this because this is where your royal family lines started from!!..

[@habibahahmad9317]

Very interesting every Race of Humanity has A beautiful culture it's all about understanding it love what I am learning from this Culture and the passing off the Queen may her soul R I P

[@haircutexperience]

They all pretty much get bowl cuts. I'd imagine some might consider calling a sicky to avoid getting their long locks hacked off? I admire their dedication coming uniting together!

[@ilovetroypolamalu45]

Im not tongan and I cried watchin this.. Can someone tell me whats the meaning of cutting the hair? Love the Tongan culture! Malo lava!

[@bethanyvaomotou2925]

ilovetroypolamalu45 The meaning behind cutting the hair is when you lose a someone dearly in the family .. therefore you cut hair to show your loss because you lose the beauty (hair) . But this only occurs when your parents or dad sisters pass because in the Tongan tradition the sister have a high rank in the family . Example : I am the only girl in my family and let say if one day when i am old and i pass away my brothers kids will cut their hair . im not sure if i explained it correctly but thats what my dad had told me

[@elizabethmisiloi5158]

ilovetroypolamalu45 g

[@culluionatana9445]

It is makes me cry😭😭😭beautiful culture😭😭😭🥰🥰🥰

[@angelherbert1616]

This was so beautiful

[@naketoatalagi1659]

A mesmerizing custom, some of our islands have lost their culture, in showing of sympathy; to dropped heaps more tears, because of the background singing

[@bethanyvaomotou2925]

fkofa aupito! . made me cry tbh .. i am very proud to be Tongan

[@Skybar23]

ah so this is why all my aunties got haircuts when my grandmother (on my mums side) passed away. Is this a common tradition in Tongan funerals especially when an elderly women passes away?

[@ToaAulika]

EJ Ioane if that is your aunties dads sister yes it's a common tradition, your dad, dadś sister, on the fathers side not the mothers side.

[@aisaketakau7824]

EJ Ioane. In your case. they are your grandmother 's brothers ' children who cut their hairs .her own children may also cut their hairs

[@solosolopuefua7189]

EJ Ioane to

[@solosolopuefua7189]

EJ Ioane 9

[@lifewithsaia6047]

anefjnaulatu is

[@fredlui3900]

The Royal Princess is a very Good Hairdresser

[@naasipakalonihea3926]

May god bless our princess love you all

[@moefiki9901]

Beautiful.

[@leftisland2603]

I dont blame her for crying😢

[@BrainfitTriviaQuizzes]

Why does the girl cry? Does she miss her hair? Is this role forced upon her or is she a volunteer?

[@Incognacious]

It is an honour.. she probably remembered Her Late Majesty

[@tricianafaatiliga562]

After they cut hair where does it go its interest but its an Amazing that tonga is the only culture that goes all out

[@hanzelloveday6231]

Triciana faatiliga the hair is woven into kafa (the rope) used to tie the taovalas. That kafa then becomes unique and passed down within that family. Other family members hairs can/will be added to the kafa to make it thicker and longer over time.

[@tahutini9091]

Hello. Can you give the title of the first song when all the people cried ??? It is a beautiful et sad song❤. I'm Polynesian too, from French Polynesia🌺

[@Incognacious]

Its a hymn. Eiki neongo koe ha

[@souveniehollande979]

Like @Incognicious said, the first song was a hymn,

[@hassiroonbyer1250]

Can anyone please say what is done with the hair from the funerary hair cutting ritual?

[@RastasNevaDie]

They save it and braid it into a kafa (rope/belt used for the taovala we wear)

[@rimadawson4087]

Can I ask what do they do with the hair. . ?

[@Skybar23]

make the ropes that ties the brown mats to the body they are wearing now

[@rimadawson4087]

@@Skybar23 oh yes got it now makes sense thanks so much 😊👍

[@emnamjen1029]

Culture beautiful possibly, maybe people who trying to keep the tradition, but I dont understand why they have to cut this hair and make this young girl so upset, everyone is crying there, what is all about? Thanks God the Queen is a good hairdresser 🙏😉😁❤❤

[@RastasNevaDie]

Monika Nejman that’s our tradition it’s the highest sign of mourning and respect to the person who passed away

[@emnamjen1029]

@@RastasNevaDie But its so upsetting any way 😔😔❤❤💐

[@AT-wn1vh]

@@emnamjen1029 , she is crying because the Queen mother (deceased) passed away n she was very close to her . The little girl is the downline of a brother to the Queen . She is definitely not upset about cutting her hair.

[@emnamjen1029]

@@AT-wn1vh Aw bless them ❤ Beautiful tradition ❤🌺

[@AT-wn1vh]

@@emnamjen1029 in our Tongan culture, our girls hold the highest respect. The boys n their downline are expected to honour their sisters and her downline in everything they do...eg in this case , the cutting of their hair and wearing long mats . Our boys on the other hard , inherit all the land . The girls don't have a say on that so they must find suitors that can accommodate. Yeah , it's pretty good our culture. But sometimes our fahu (dad's sisters n her downline) tend to abuse their status and expect too much lol jk !! We all know where we stand and what is expected of us .

[@loloraass869]

kindly

[@Элиза-б5н]

Зачем стригут волосы? Видимо какой то ритуал совершают. Кто знает ответьте пожалуйста.

[@elisaciolfi8308]

T.you very strangers bit interessino !

[@AT-wn1vh]

Stranger 'ena ia 'i lalo 😁😁😁

[@redace9056]

I don't understand why they cut hair ?

[@taufatonga5376]

In Tongan culture the sisters outrank their brothers. The late Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho (may she Rest in Peace) was sister to the grandfather of the two children in the video. So, out of respect to their Great Aunt they had their hair cut, it is also a honour for them as the Royal Princess Sālote Pilolevu (the only daughter of the Queen Mother) is cutting their hair on this occasion, this will usually occur after the 10th day of mourning. Men usually grow beards during the time of mourning.

[@itsjustnopinionok]

Cloud Link from what im reading in the comment section. when someone dies. (im thinking a woman) the women have their hairs cut in tribute. the money offered? i guess a contibution. the princess being the one to cut hair and why her? i dont know. im trying to make since of it to.

[@seinitonga4346]

The fahu cuts the hair.(fahu as in the brothers older sister) she can cut it however she wants. If you don't want your hair cut you don't have to.

[@keenerblue2]

Nice but don't the have barbers and beauticians there?

[@keenerblue2]

She does a pretty good job.

[@souveniehollande979]

It's a funerary custom in Tonga to have your hair cut by your great-aunt on your father's side as a sign of respect for the dead.

[@francelewis7808]

I'm Samoan, so I don't know why they have to cut her hair when someone dies. I mean it the culture but I just don't get it.

[@aganese4030]

France Lewis , in tongan culture your aunty is the very important person in your life, you don't just call any person your aunty, your father's sisters is your ONLY auntie, she is your FAHU, and all the brothers make sure that their children knows that, but in tongan culture you grow up and knowing it, as if your were born with it, you don't call your mother's sister aunty, you refer to her as your mother, your father's brother you refer to him as your father, your mother's brother as your uncle, when you understand how all this relationships in the tongan culture, the brothers and his decentant will always be a lower rank to his sister, is the love and respect of the brother to his sister, children grow up and understand you do not disrespect your aunty, the princess is the FAHU, those women and girls are her uncle's children and grandchildren, and hair cutting at funerals are very common practice in tongan culture, it's very easy to tell your place in the family setting and everyone knows their roles to play, very organized

[@tongatapu3385]

France Lewis in the Tongan culture one of the most tapu (sacred or forbidden) part of the body is the head! And your hair is part of your head so your hair is tapu.. anyways when someone of high rank in your family dies like your father, your fathers brothers and especially your fathers sisters (because sisters have a higher rank then their brothers in our culture) then their will be a hair cutting ceremony called a maumau usually held a day or two after the burial... at the maumau members of the family with low rank wear taovala pulou (giant raggedy old mats) and their hair is let down naturally with some money pinned in it... they bring gifts of fine mats and tapa and and it's presented to the fahu... the fahu is the highest ranking person of the family a paternal Aunty or one of her children... after the presentation the lower ranking family members crawl to the fahu and the money is taken from their head by the fahu and then their hair is chopped off... so yeah basically the cutting of the hair is a show of respect, humility and honouring the deceased and the family... all about knowing where one stands in the family.

[@Dunsapie]

Who do the houses belong to?

[@seinituitupou8484]

That is the Queen Mother's childhood home where she grew up prior her marriage to the Fourth King (King Taufa'ahau Tupou 1V). The current King, Tupou V1 and Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu are their only surviving children.

[@poppypocket8732]

+Seini Tuitupou does the King or Princess Salote have children, if not who will descend the throne after the present King?

[@seinituitupou8484]

@@poppypocket8732 , definitely, the reigning King V1 has 3 children, 1 daughter 2 sons whereas the oldest son is the heir to the throne.

[@poppypocket8732]

@@seinituitupou8484 okay, thank you for replying. Blessings to you. 😊

[@redace9056]

My mother is almost 80 yrs old and her hair still black she don.t use hair color or anything to her hair, is natural color, I asked her if she use hair color she said to me what is that ? My sisters told me that don't know what is hair color ?,. Only GOD keep her color black.. I said Amen to JESUS.

[@maxtongamoa8985]

Cloud Link sai ketau ilo

[@poppypocket8732]

Because she wears a weave. But thank you for sharing your story.

[@AT-wn1vh]

@JE3D ..n you're telling us this because????lol

[@oceanview5616]

What does this mean?!

[@ToaAulika]

LakeSide87 ! This is the princess mothers brothers side of the family, to honour the queen mother of tonga her descendants on her brothers side come to show there lowly ranks in the family by cutting there hair, and that is given to the Queen mother of tongaś Daughter Princess Pilolevu. It's a very Humbling experience! The cutting of the hair is a sign of respect and the sisters are loved in some respect. This is only one of many of being a sister in the Tongan culture.

[@ofa6831]

😢

[@ladyb.1122]

Perche lo fanno?

[@taufatonga5376]

Lady B Lo fanno in onore della deceduta, che sarebbe la Regina Madre di Tonga, La Regina Madre Halaevalu Mata'aho, che è morta in Aprile di questo anno. La Signora che sta tagliando i capelli dei due giovani e la figlia della Regina Madre, La principessa Royale Sālōte Pilolevu Tuita. Questi giovani sono pronipote della Regina Madre, cioè sono nipoti di un fratello della Regina Madre. Nella cultura di Tonga le sorelle del padre/nonno sono visti con più onore/rispetto. Allora i nipoti, pronipoti eccetera hanno il dovere di fare le loro condoglianze e fra di loro scelgano chi avrà i capelli tagliati. La Principessa Royale Pilolevu e anche sorella maggiore del Re attuale di Tonga (Re Tupou VI) e così mantiene il diritto di essere molto rispettata. Spero questo informazione aiuta un po', le varie classe nella cultura di Tonga e molto complesso però molto interessante. Grazie e scusi gli errori.

[@elisaciolfi8308]

Taufa, Capisci e scrivi l'italiano molto bene. Interessante e bellissima tradizione. Mi Sono emozionata nel guardare questo video...continuerò a seguirvi....certa che imparerò molto .della vostra cultura. affascinante sensibilità. Vorrei sapere , perche ' e quale origini e' il panno che mettete sia sopra il vestito nero, ch e x altre manifestazioni. Grazie di cuore .

[@neiawizzle5731]

Dang y'all couldn't cut her hair straight lmaoo

[@seinitonga4346]

Neia Wizzle Its up to the person who's cutting it. They can cut ot however they want.

[@neiawizzle5731]

Seini Tonga so if they wanted yo ass to look like big bird they gon make me look like big bird gmfu 😂😂😂 y'all Tongan's be doing the most no mam no ham no turkey

[@seinitonga4346]

Neia Wizzle lol yeah if the person who’s cutting wants them to look like a big bird they will lmao. Tongans aint doing the most. This has been happening for centuries. Just thanks god they invented scissors cos they use to burn it off sometimes.

[@fjmtfl-faalavelave3569]

My opinions and Neia Wizzle - it's not so much about the haircut tbh but the respect behind the tradition. like people have mentioned, it has been happening in our cultures for centuries and I am so proud that it is still alive today. yes ican agree that the haircut is horrible but that isn't the important part of this ceremony. iguess it would be hard to understand if you yourself dont understand the mana and the importance of this tradition :) you might not care who has died, but to these people they're showing respect to the late Great Royal Mother!

[@liapongi2647]

Sad

[@thomasnarruhn7722]

Z

[@javeriajiya8983]

What the hell ????