During the week of preparations for the funeral, action in the royal tombs was frantic with the construction of the new tomb for King George Tupou V. As the royal tombs are a sacred place to the Tongan's they have a number of special rules they follow during the construction, such as only Tongan's are employed to do the work and they must be dressed in the mourning dress. Possibly not the most comfortable uniform to do construction work in either I imagine. Also there are official caretakers for each of the past three Kings and Queen Salote who are also there the entire time, including the offical three months mourning period after the funeral, yes night and day, rain or shine. We see so much tradition in every step of the way and throughout this entire process and I'm sure there is pleanty more that we have no idea about but we can also see how the Tongan's have adapted to the times and impacts of the future. We are very lucky to and thanks to our Tongan friends as they have explained so much more of the traditions both past and present.
Construction begins on King George Tupou V tomb.
It is quiet a large tomb when you see it from both sides.
At the same time construction of the shelters for the burial service also began.
Completion of the main walls.
Some times modern technology helps.
Traditionally the caretakers seen here would fill this section by hand, and at the beginning of time 10 caretakers would also follow the King into the grave (yes, alive) to keep him company while he passed over to the next life.
The Royal Tombs all ready for the Burial of the King.
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