I am learning to write an explanation about why Tonga is a special place. This was hard because we couldn't take ourselves from being bias. I am Tongan and so proud of it. But I think our teacher is trying to make us understand what third and first-person are. Every time we write something she kept saying " is that a fact or your own opinion" it is hard because we want to write a lot of things but I think they are mostly knowledge that we know from our experience and what we heard from our parents and friends.
WALT - write an explanation text
Why is Tonga a special place? Tonga is a small island located in the
South Pacific. Tonga has 176 islands but 36 of them inhabited and it is divided into three main groups which are Tongatapu, Vava’u, and Ha’apai. Tonga is known as the Friendly Islands. Their official language is Tongan. It also has a beautiful unspoiled environment. The Kingdom of Tonga has never been colonized by any country or foreign power but works closely with foreign countries. They earn their money from agricultural activities, remittances, and foreign aid. Tonga is a special place because of its culture, food and its magnificent tourist attractions.
Firstly, the Tongan culture has a traditional dress called ‘Ta’ovala’
which are commonly worn for funerals, work, church, special occasions, or school uniforms Tonga has a traditional Polynesian drink called ‘ Kava Drinking’ is a part of the Tongan Culture. Their biggest festival is The Heilala Festival, The festival is named after the national flower of Tonga which is The Heilala Flower.
The event starts on the 4th of July every single year, the highlight of the event is The Heilala Beauty Pageant and usually the birthday of the former King Tupou the IV.
Secondly, the Tongan traditional meal, The staples of Tongan foods are pork, chicken, beef, sheep ribs, and fish to name a few of the popular meats. You add in some coconut milk, taro leaves, and various choices such as yams, taro, sweet potatoes, and tapioca then you can taste the Tongan Cuisine. Some popular dishes are lu, ota ika, topai, and many more. Tonga can grow their own food at their own plantation, vegetables and raise their own cattle, pigs, chicken and now sheep to help with the daily finances and to feed their own family and other obligations.
Thirdly, Many years ago Tonga was given a nickname called ‘ The Friendly Islands’ because of the welcoming and their attitude shown towards visitors. People enjoy watching the beautiful scenery, Whale Watch and sparing some fish.
The person who named Tonga ‘ The Friendly Islands’ was Captain Cook, he said that Tonga gave him a warm welcome.
Tonga is officially named ‘ The Kingdom Of Tonga’ with more than 170 South Pacific Islands, many uninhabited, most lined in coral reefs and covered with tropical rainforest. Its unspoiled environment made Tonga special because there are not that many developments happening there like what happened in New Zealand and other countries. Tonga is special because Sunday there is no work but a day that everyone rest, goes to church and cooking, and visiting families.
