A tsunami has hit Tonga's largest island, Tongatapu, after an underwater volcano in the South Pacific erupted. | CNN

Tonga Where Tradition Lives On🇹🇴 In the heartbeat of the Pacific, our culture stands strong, woven with pride and timeless beauty. From the graceful art of tauʻolunga to the craftsmanship of ngatu, every tradition tells a story of resilience, community, and identity. Here in Tonga, we honor our ancestors by keeping their legacy alive, sharing it through the warmth of our people and the strength of our heritage. This is who we are. visit our website tongatourism.travel #ProudlyTongan #CulturalH

The Tongan Tau’olunga, influenced by the Samoan taualuga and the ancient ‘ula’ dance, became a key part of Tongan culture, particularly among the aristocracy. The ‘ula’ was a group dance for chiefly daughters, but with the introduction of the Samoan taualuga in the 19th century, it became institutionalized within the Tu’i Kanokupolu lineages. In the 1950s, Queen Salote enhanced the tau’olunga, incorporating wrist flourishes and lakalaka leg transitions, shaping the modern version we see today. F