ʻotuhaka

The ʻotuhaka (ʻotu-haka: row-of-dancemovements) is a traditional Tongan group dance with prominent Samoan influence wherein the performers are seated and make gestures with their arms only, with some accentuation from head and body.

In another respect, the 'Otuhaka was believed to be performed early in the morning to wake the King in a peaceful and subtle way.

The performers sat crosslegged on the ground in a half circle with the guest of honour (the chief to whom they wanted to give homage) at the centre.

The words of the several verses are largely archaic and since they are derived from Samoan origin some are not well understood by their Tongan performers.

For Tongans ʻAnilai and Siulafata may be names of unknown persons, but in Sāluafata harbour on ʻUpolu was an important stopover in ancient times: A verse in modern Samoan, a quite recent addition as it talks about the annexation of Tutuila by the Americans (sailors= US Navy) in 1900: This article related to folk dance is a stub.