Tongan wedding
A Tongan wedding in which families exchange koloa, barkcloth and woven mats, with a church service and a large feast.
Also: kahoa, koloa
Tongan weddings are major events for the extended families, with church services and large feasts of pork, taro and other dishes, with speeches and singing. The families exchange koloa, valued goods which include ngatu, a decorated barkcloth, and fine mats. The couple may be dressed in ta'ovala, woven waist mats, and a kahoa, a garland, is worn or given. Gifts are often offered in large numbers and a family may spend a great deal. Customs follow rank and village, and differ between Tonga and the Tongan community abroad.
Region: Oceania