Comprising dance and crafts, Tonga’s arts hark back to ancient times.

Dances tell traditional stories — men pound their feet to fierce drums or juggle flaming batons, while women twirl their hands with economic grace and wear fine woven costumes, decorated with delicate feathers and shells.

Women weave floor coverings and bowls from the leaves of the pandanus tree, as well as the mats (ta’ovala) and belts (kiekie) worn as the Western equivalent of a business suit. Weavings as fine as silk become heirlooms or gifts for births, weddings and funerals.

Tapa cloth is pounded from mulberry bark and decorated brown and black patterns — some traditional; others like contemporary print-making. Once used as clothing, tapa is also a gift for rite of passage moments.

Other crafts include wood carvings (a male task), and jewellery made from shells and seeds. Numerous craft markets and shops are within walking distance on Tongatapu and Vava’u.