Royal Visit to Fiji and Tonga, 1953

[@Sivocks]

Isaaa My Grandmother was the Lali bearer in that Spear dance (Meke)and she was in her early 20's. She passed away last month at the age of 89😥..

[@benjaminliwaliwa2309]

0:43 that is my grandfather ❤️

[@patisi]

Wonderful.. Thanks for posting this up. Proud of my Tongan heritage.

[@moorek1967]

For people who got upset over the soldier who sat down like this, here is the evidence it is a cultural tradition. That little girl did not know how to curtsy, but she did know to sit down. Bravo, little girl. I hope you have had a blessed life.

[@tevitakomaisavai4987]

The young girl was the daughter of the first Fijian President She has passed on. I went to the same high school with her son and had the honor of meeting this wonderful lady.

[@willnautical2774]

The fijian dances so good 🤯🔥

[@wutdafeezy]

Fiji, you along with Tonga and Samoa were the powerhouses of the Pacific long before the white men came. Remember that.

[@TheRealJanosAudron]

STRAIGHT UP!

[@comradeuro4255]

wutdafeezy If they were such a powerhouse they'd be conquering Britain

[@sativaemjay8061]

Comrad Euro dw we got the Muslims conquering it 😂😂

[@jasonbourne9819]

Did you say that to embarrass us or to make us look cool? I don't get it.

[@pablosalvadore2052]

Jason Bourne he only said straight facts 💯 take it how ever u want

[@macvatu]

I was still at school by during this Royal Visit. it does bring tears to my eyes now thinking of all my relatives were alive and present there in Suva on the day. Thanks for posting this. Queen Salote of course was present in London for Queen Elizabeth's coronation the same year, 1953. We had to make do with Radio Broadcast in those days.

[@AnoRex770]

The dance by the school girls is so old....I remember my sister in it back in 1998 because we have a reel of it in VCR...sadly we couldn't salvage the old tape....this was back in Levuka at Levuka Public School

[@jamesa4672]

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II died in Balmoral on 8 September 2022 at age 96. She had reigned as Queen for 70 years. The world is in mourning of the second Elizabethan age

[@isikelidrevacu3235]

I'm proud to be a "kai Vaturova"for this great display of trust, obedience, honor and courage shown by our people to entertain Her Majesty Queen Elisabeth II on that historical occasion. I believe now most of them have passed on but the legacy they left behind is something that all Fijian people can learn from and uphold our culture and tradition. Our people came and presented the same "Meki Wesi'' in 1982 in Bau during the BLV to entertain the Queen. I was supposed to join the group because that was my second year in the village but unfortunately due to an unforeseen circumstance caused me dearly. Vinaá.

[@macvatu]

I particularly like the "fan dance" performed by the girl-students of Adi Cakobau High School in Sawani. I believe Mrs Charleton was the Head Mistress of the school at that time. I was fortunate enough to visit the school in 1959 as a student on social visit from Queen Victoria High School in Tailevu North The girls performed that same fan-dance for us and we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. Many thanks !!

[@max2shay]

that spear dance was epic...m so proud of my heritage...our ancestors did great...vinaka vakalevu

[@samuelaturuva7634]

Quarantine Got Me Here ✌️ Anyone watching 2020

[@KoiNadi]

This is so Historical!! Like we're in 2010 Now..Thank You For allowing this vision to live on

[@thesau2496]

2020 actually.

[@moanamakoni7920]

@@thesau2496 no 2021😆

[@tevitakomaisavai4987]

It's now 2024

[@ernieabott5326]

Wow I knew the Kai Lau performed the lakalaka, but I didn't know they also performed the maulu'ulu also, on point. Malo aupito Fisi

[@Nukuvuka]

this is a great video my grandmother told me about wen the Queen came to fiji how wonderful its just really great that this video is on thank you

[@iniamavai]

All our beautiful graceful fijian Culture!! It is time to rekindle the creativities of our tradtional arts and culture!! I love the Lakalaka and the spear dance from Vaturova!!

[@meretsamisoni]

Thank you Inia Mavai for this video on the source of our creativity. As an entrepreneur it is also a source of for micro-small-medium-large business development. The impact of this is for the people to address their own education, health, poverty and development needs without depending on the State. The State has no business to be in the private sector as their role should be in infrastructure development, rule of law and Justice.

[@sixteeful]

I think the spear dance was from Namacu Koro. I might be wrong. But I heard a competition was held and Namacu beat Vaturova. There is a legend behind it

[@fjchannel321]

@@sixteeful no... Spear dance was the people of Vaturova,Cakaudrove.

[@margaritaresta6390]

Missing so much Queen Elizabeth her graceful dignity. She was the only one

[@beaumontmuni961]

Wow ... the men's meke wesi (spear dance) was amazing. Hands down the best I've ever seen. Too bad there isn't enough footage as well. I hope we can continue to hold on to what we have.

[@r.rparaguaydelnorte1225]

Long liv the Queen!🥂👑

[@mouimaatonga6106]

Its good that she came to beautiful friendly islands of the Kingdom of Tonga and meet the Lovely people in Tonga, love yous all back then 'Ofa atu

[@tukast]

@sionelotulelei , Yes Bro, the seated dancers are from the Lau Group in eastern Fiji and are performing the Lakalaka

[@KoiNadi]

@aisokulaguy Me too,... I only ever heard stories about the time the Queen Came To Fiji.. so amazing to find actual footage on youtube..

[@SereanaNaulivou]

Isaaaaa great day to fiji

[@farrallhilton_staff-athens615]

How lovely!!!!

[@macvatu]

Just love that men's spear dance, as well as the girls' fan dance by Adi Cakobau Girls School. There was live broadcast on FIJI BROADCASTING COMMISSION(FBC) and we in Kadavu Schools gathered at Vunisea for sports and celebrations.

[@EliteBusJr]

Sick as in Cool, Awesome,Amazing

[@EliteBusJr]

That Fijian Spear Dance is siiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiick

[@doxsolokoh3784]

I fink da fijishit upder

[@latileta]

@@doxsolokoh3784 ?

[@TonganKid310]

luv the vid...

[@mbt_miah2325]

i like fiji and tonga and im happy that queen elizibeth went to fiji and tonga

[@EliteBusJr]

damn that spear dance was amazing

[@fijimonster]

The song that the young girls sing at Adi Cakabau School, was later taught to other girls of other schools and later generations.

[@ikaikaxkeahi]

All Polys are the best

[@aymansharif370]

The Fijians are Melanesians

[@ikaikaxkeahi]

Ayman Sharif Poly/Melanesian hybrid

[@macvatu]

It is customary in most Pacific Islands to squat or sit down when high ranking guests are on official visits such as you witness here. You may wave and applaud but not too boorish or undully 'loud' in your behaviour. The Royals of course were aware of these customs and took no offence. And as for FIJI, it wasn't grabbed by Britain, but high ranking chiefs asked Britain to administer the islands due to persistent threats from Americans about their debts. Fiji is now back independent.

[@spiritfingers1]

@BALEnaVICO Vinaka! I stand corrected re "meke wesi" so then is the "manua sa yawa" meke separate story to the lutunasobasoba legend of Vuda? Also am assuming the "Ranadi" to be an earlier canoe to the one built by Ratu Seru Cakobau for the tui tonga in the 1700s....Anyway fantastic meke wesi! and it's a shame no meke seem to be performed with precision and numbers these days....

[@marylocks92]

lol, my dad just turned one :O:O I luv the Canoe, so beautiful :X Luv FIJI!!

[@camomiletea6708]

God Bless Queen Salote!

[@richardring422]

Beautiful film

[@mouimaatonga6106]

Good one fiji and Tonga malie malie

[@mouimaatonga6106]

Faka'ofoofa moe tali tali, moe teu teu pola kihe ene afio and the Tongan dance the Ma'uluulu, Soke ,Laka Laka and the Kailao AWESOME

[@maenamae]

somewhere out there in that crowd in albert park are my grandparents LOL probably showing they stuff to her majesty doin they meke ayy!

[@ratunibunomaitoga1397]

Dance of the Warriors ,

[@ranpoo9412]

Do you have a clips or photos of her visit to Fiji around 1964-1966, She visited a town, Labasa, in Vanua Levu. I was there in group of student presenting items.

[@ccjohncc1]

Wished I could find that boat online. It looks like a mahogany wood made chris craft. Anyone know?

[@Moatunu]

'Ofa atu to all the Tongan - Kai Viti brothers and sisters. Queen Salote was one of the Pacific's greatest monarchs may her legacy live on...

[@spiritfingers1]

@BALEnaVICO Waqa Kuta vaka na waqa ni Ijipita? Would have been very daring & some voyage to travel open seas on a waqa kuta. I don't know the talanoa ni "yavu Vuni-ivi-levu" but I will ask my mother or my sister in law who is from tunuloa I guess she should know & some of my family should know as well. Noqu nana kaya ni ira na turaga levu dou vei lesi ira na tamata me meke se cava tale me cakava ki na soqo levu. It's a shame the complete footage of the mekes/ceremonies aren't available.

[@CROSSROAD72]

The "Maravu Levu" meke - tells the story of the 7 storey boat of the dead! Wonder if there will ever be a full staged performance of that meke - belongs to the Nakelo people of Tailevu! They say that more than 1000 meke can perform the meke in once setting without even completing the full 7 cycle!

[@AnoRex770]

The Maravu Levu is not featured in this video only the Spear Dance of Vaturova...if I'm correct the Maravu Levu is a club dance...

[@HulihulioeVaotamanu]

It was like an old mate invited for a barbie & a few cold ones.

[@spiritfingers1]

First meke (Vakamalolo) is obviously performed by Lau people because the Dau ni vucu says "Taha" "Ua" which is tongan counting. I am inclined to believe the Meke Wesi (spear dance) is part of the "Maravu Levu" commissioned by the vunivalu of Bau Ratu Popi Seniloli & first composed/performed by the Nakelo people in the 1930s for the royal visit to Fiji of the Duke of Gloucester "Prince William Henry" . Meke iri (Fan dance) is an ancient chant about the Ciri & Vu (spirit protectors) of Fiji.

[@kaydee818]

meeeeeaan ! malie malie .. go TONGA hehe love fiji too xx

[@spiritfingers1]

Hi lunafringe10 Fiji and most of the rest of the pacific have had a tradition of Serfdom where Chiefs/Kings/Queens had the power of life or death over everyone else, and so servitude and slavery has been part of our cultures for thousands of years. Democracy is not a tradition of the first pacific peoples and serfdom is still ingrained in our traditions to this day.

[@spiritfingers1]

@spiritfingers1 Or are you saying "manua sa yawa" was commissioned by the "Bose levu vaka turaga" for the Royal visit & for the people of Vaturova to perform? Meke totoka sara oi kemudou na va kania na kai tonga!

[@EazyE275]

wow I Could Definitely Enjoy Staying At Tonga By The Looks Of It And Fiji =0

[@HulihulioeVaotamanu]

it's her Royal Duty.

[@wutdafeezy]

Polynesians were kings before the Europeans came and called them chiefs instead. They didn't like that we were the greatest ocean navigators and they tried their best to make us lose that identity too.

[@coryhawley738]

my guy Fiji voluntarily became a colony and Britian protected Fiji

[@100yrsable]

tukast it call a TAFI..seating dance....lakalaka is a standing one... vinaka

[@isoasmall]

i bet that was the first time the Queen had to sit on the floor (in tonga)

[@doxsolokoh3784]

Know your roll slelizabeth 🚀😃😴😂😪😰😱

[@chachaslide180]

It’s a tradition for us Tongas to have royals sit on the floor like their people to show their equality and appreciation.

[@jackalbark7593]

What is it with Tonga&Fiji everytime the royal visit the Pacific they travelled to these two countries,,, why,,any idea?

[@ppktl2474]

Jackal Bark Tonga is the only island in the Pacific that has a monarch

[@jackalbark7593]

@@ppktl2474 what about fiji

[@ppktl2474]

@@jackalbark7593 they have chiefs. I'm not too sure or familiar with Fiji

[@jasonbourne9819]

They never had a history of going to war with Brits, at least not all out war. Samoa has had a scuffles with Germany, US and UK. NZ and Australia were fully colonized by then. Other islands were too small and insignificant.

[@spiritfingers1]

Hi 100yrsable, some of the dancers are sitting and some are standing so it should be called TAFILAKA lol! my sister in laws family are from Tunuloa and they call it SEASEA so must be different names in different district. my fathers family are Bauan and they just call it VAKAMALOLO whether you sit down or stand up to perform action song.

[@vraifj6629]

🇫🇯🇫🇯🇫🇯

[@RogerinKC]

Barack Obama @17:31

[@AliceLeivere]

LOL

[@Mac-lv7gp]

Holy shit

[@alexfifita]

malie mooni ae ma'ulu'ulu...

[@spiritfingers1]

@mattandpatti222 Tikolo! gusu ni valepo! lol!

[@mouimaatonga6106]

Malo Salote ene afio faka'ofoofa ke me'a hake a Elizabeth kihe tau fonua ko Tonga the friendly islands, beautiful and lovely pacific nation of Tonga, Love yous all back then 'Ofa atu

[@10ooh3]

Did u guys notice how fijian those Tongans looked at 17:31? Hehehe

[@bwaurotekamau2595]

Eng ekoaua anne te UEA

[@tatimahina]

TONGA :)

[@manuhikusiligi8363]

3 islands that haves a fight is niue Tonga samoea

[@tupouakau8983]

Enjoy the Langi Grave .See the Throne. Of the Promise Land. The Grown that fall to the ground. The Queen always keeps 3 metre distance of the Covenant. Tonga Mama'o. James 007.Tincan Island.

[@aivitii09]

Manua sa yawa!!! Bale na vico!!

[@doxsolokoh3784]

Full frendly tongan men n woman 💏☕🍰🍉🍇🍨🍸

[@lunafringe10]

the british must have stolen a lot there as well

[@BudsRitova]

ya-ko-na...hehehehe...

[@minimamo139]

You should have called it the second worse day in our history

[@msquaresa]

First I didn't recognised the poofhead walking along with the sword, I just focus on my cousins from Viti and my Tongan people. They should come and see for themselves how friendly and beautiful our people are instead of calling us savages.

[@marlonbrandoseyes1443]

Why?

[@lunafringe10]

celebrating what? servitude and slavery?

[@chachaslide180]

Juju Rellama no

[@ninaleisaku7963]

jikolo

[@coryhawley738]

that never happen in Fiji my guy

[@philia801005]

malo fau hono vahevahe mai 'a e ng koloa mahu'inga 'o e fonua 'a e 'a'ahi fkpule'anga 'a Kuini 'Ilisapesi ... pehe ki he vakai atu ki he hoihoifua 'a e Fale 'o Ha'a Moheofo !!!! ... Ka 'oku toe 'iai ha'o video pehe ni pea katakai hokohoko atu ho'o vahevahe e ... Malo 'aupito ... philia

[@supniggachee]

isa totoka dina a sarava lesu tu a meca i!!!!!! qare sa veisau saraga vaka levu ko viti!!! isa viti noqu viti.....

[@danosborne9962]

dina saraga sa sega ni vaka i mada

[@SianaTonga]

Im telling you the commentator would have said Yaquna (aka known as kava to tongans) tasted like dirt Hahahahahha😂😂😂

[@EliteBusJr]

this is slooooow