Kailao
The Kailao is a Tongan cultural dance.
History
It is usually performed at public and private ceremonies. The men, bearing stylized clubs (pate kailao), dance in a fierce manner that emulates fighting, all to the accompaniment of a beaten slit drum or a tin box, which sets the tempo. Unlike most other Tongan dances, the kailao is performed without singing. The sequences of movements to be performed by the group are called by the lead dancer, who will give the name of the sequence, then will signal when to do it. The sequences can involve mock combat between dancers, changes in formation, and tricks involving the pate kailao themselves. The dance displays the dancers' discipline, obedience and skill with their weapon. A similar Rotuman dance, also derived from the 'Uvean original is similarly titled "ka'loa".
The Sipi Tau, performed by the 'Ikale Tahi, the national rugby union team before each match, is a form of Kailao.
Song: Sipi Tau
The Tonga rugby union national team's pre-game challenge, the Sipi Tau was penned by King Tama Tu'i Tāufaʻāhau Tupou IV in 1994, but its origins can be traced back much further. In Tonga in the pre-1800s there were no challenges before war. Indeed talking was considered a sign of weakness in battle. But in the 19th century a war dance was introduced from the neighbouring Wallis and Futuna Islands and Tonga quickly annexed it. There have been several different Sipi Tau used by the Tongan rugby team over the years, but it is unsure when they were first used in rugby. The latest one was composed in honour of a short, successful tour of New Zealand in 1994.[1]
Tongan[2]
- Teuaki ki he tau Tonga! (Leader)
- Teu lea pea tala ki mamani katoa
- Ko e 'Ikale Tahi kuo halofia.
- Ke ilo e he sola mo e taka
- Ko e aho ni te u tamate tangata,
- haafe mo e tautua
- Kuo hu hoku anga tangata.
- Ei! (Leader)
- E!
- Ei! (Leader)
- E!
- Te u peluki e molo mo e foueti taka,
- Pea ngungu mo ha loto fitaʻa
- Ngungu! (Leader)
- ʻIo!
- Ngungu! (Leader)
- ʻIo!
- Ko Tonga pe mate ki he moto (Leader)
- Otua mo Tonga ko hoku tofi'a
- Ei e! (Leader)
- TONGA!
English Translation
- Leader:Get ready to the battle, Tonga!
- I shall speak to the whole world
- The Sea Eagles are famished unfurl.
- Let the foreigner and sojourner beware
- Today, destroyer of souls, I am everywhere
- To the halfback and backs
- Gone has my humanness.
- Leader:Hey! hey!
- Ay!
- Leader:Aye!
- Aye!
- Maul and loose forwards shall I mow
- And crunch any fierce hearts you know
- Leader:Crunch!
- Yeah!
- Leader:Crunch!
- Yeah!
- That's how Tonga dies to her motto
- From God and Tonga I descend.
- Leader:Aye, ay!
- Tonga!