A Tongan funeral is a solemn, tearful, monochromatic affair. The place they put the bodies, however, is the happiest monument to death that you’ll ever see.
The dead are not buried under ground as is common the States. Instead they are covered by mounds of earth that are often braced with short stone walls. Atop the grave is a thick layer of clean beach sand (the removal of which contributes to beach erosion). Adorning the sand are fake yet vibrant flowers, and perhaps woven mats, signs, and traditional Western tombstones.
They feel more like places to celebrate life than to mourn the dead.
Dear John,
ReplyDeletePlease note that the dead is still buried 6 feet under (we call it fonua-loto), covered by a stone slab (maka-kafu) followed by the mound you see,constructed above the plot to designate the deceased. At the head of the plot where in western cemeteries there is a head stone, instead you see a colorful banner (called a TAPU) with the person's name on it. After one year, the mound is covered with black volcanic pebbles in a ceremony called "lanu e kili kili" signaling the end of the mourning period. So, we do not bury our dead above ground as you have written.