The casket carrying the body of King George Tupou V is draped in the Tongan royal standard upon its arrival at Fua'amotu International Airport as members of the royal family wearing ta'ovala waistmats look on. Source: AFP
TONGA'S reformist King George Tupou V has been borne to his final resting place by some 1000 black-clad pallbearers in a solemn funeral ceremony steeped in Polynesian and Christian ritual.
Renowned for his love of military uniforms and a jet-setting lifestyle, Tupou was seen as an eccentric but also a visionary during a short six-year reign in which he paved the way for democracy in the country of 100,000 people.
The body of the 63-year-old, who died on March 18 during a trip to Hong Kong, was placed on a towering black-and-gold bier today after locals observed an overnight vigil with his casket in the throne room of his palace.
Hundreds of men, all wearing black clothes and traditional woven ta'ovala mats around their waists, carried the stately platform 300 metres to the royal tombs, some straining under its massive weight in the beating sun.
A government official said the steel-reinforced bier, which was emblazoned with the king's royal standard, weighed five tonnes, with the men taking turns to shoulder the burden.
The monarch's younger brother King Tupou VI, who will take over as head of state, and his wife Queen Nanasipau'u followed behind with other family members, some with mats almost blanketing them to show their closeness to the deceased.
As the bells of the Free Wesleyan Church bell began to toll, a 21-gun salute boomed and a military band leading the march struck up, their white and khaki uniforms and polished instruments flashing in contrast to the funeral black.
Australian Governor General Quentin Bryce and Parliamentary Secretary for Pacific Island Affairs Richard Marles attended the funeral, alongside representatives of other Pacific nations.
Hundreds of Tongans lined the streets to pay their respects, in emotional scenes as the stately procession made its way past.
"It's very moving," said Tafolosa Bloomfield as she witnessed the historic event, last seen in Tonga in 2006.
"We feel for the king. Despite all the political differences when it comes to the king and our culture, nothing else matters," she told AFP.
Daphne Manu, a Tongan visiting from the United States whose nephew was among the pallbearers, said the ceremony was overwhelming.
"That was amazing," she said, gesturing at the crowds of men and women in traditional dress.
Children in their school uniforms sat heads bowed as the procession passed into the royal tombs area, where several thousand more students sat for the three-hour Christian service as the royal family and dignitaries looked on.
The service was in Tongan and mourners were told that while the late king had the shortest reign of the Tupou dynasty, he achieved "the most momentous legacy in terms of political reform", government spokesman Paula Ma'u said.
Tupou, who was not married, was the direct descendant of King Tupou I, who founded the dynasty in the 19th century.
Oxford-educated and known to sport a monocle, he was sometimes criticised for his overseas travel, but he won support after moving to dismantle feudal rule after riots rocked the capital in November 2006.
The funeral essentially brought normal activities in the capital of Nuku'alofa to a standstill.
"It's a major event that affects all Tongans," said Sandra Fifita, acting director of the Ministry of Tourism, as she herself wiped away tears.
The cause of death has not been released but the late king underwent treatment last year for cancer.
Tonga's monarchy can trace its history back 1000 years and by the 13th century the nation wielded power and influence over surrounding islands, including Samoa, nearly 900km to the east.
Tupou I, who converted to Christianity after coming under the influence of missionaries, was proclaimed king in 1845 after winning control of the monarchy from two other royal lines.
By 1900 the country had become a British protectorate and only acquired its independence in 1970. It remains the only monarchy among South Pacific island nations.
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