Agricultural Fair - Crops, Arts, Crafts

Royal Agriculture, Fisheries, Tourism and Trade Show 2018 

Saturday

Crops  

The displays of crops were very artfully arranged. I am still learning the names of the crops. The bananas were huge. A banana tree only produces one bunch of bananas. One huge bunch of bananas! After it has produce the tree is cut down and a new one grows up from the roots. It looks like I didn't take very many pictures of the crop. Oops. Maybe next year.

Tapa Cloth and Woven Mats

The tapa cloth is made from the inner bark of the mulberry tree. There are bunches of mulberry trees tied together in front of these displays. This picture shows two women carrying some mulberry trees.

Making the tapa cloth is extremely time consuming and very hard work as it is pounded and pounded to make it thinner and wider. Then there is the glueing process of layering and connecting the strips. Then painting the designs.

On the right below this tapa was rolled out on the ground for the King and Nobles to walk on.

 

The women of the villages present tapa cloth to the King. The Talking Chiefs accept the gifts. The women carry it out and open it up in front of the Talking Chiefs. One of the women speaks and then a Chief responds (in Tongan). Then the fun begin as the women dance as they leave the gift.

Arts and Crafts

The flowers are so beautiful here. The arrangements are amazing.