The traditional clothing we have seen in the Pacific has been a variation of a long cloth wrapped around the waist. In Tonga this is called a tupenu, but the Tongans add a little bit extra. This accessory is called a ta'ovala and is a type of grass woven belt both men and women wear.
Ta'ovalas are made from pandanus leaves, plant fiber, or plastic strips. The weaving style is something every girl is taught at a young age. Everyday ta'ovalas tend to be quite small - only a few inches wide. The more formal the occassion, the bigger they get. Wedding ta'ovalas can reach from above the waist all the way down to the ankles!
According to legend, a group of Tongan sailors once arrived on land after a long and very arduous voyage. They were going to see the King but because of the voyage, all their clothing was either ripped or dirty. (We can certainly relate to this since anything worn on the boat while sailing seems to get instantly dirty and ripped. We still have no idea how this happens.) To make themselves respectable, the sailors cut up pieces of their sail and wrapped it around themselves before going to the audience. The King was so impressed that the sailors would sacrifice their most precious possession for him that he decreed this to be the official court dress henceforth.
SWC
