Tautoga

The tautoga style can be seen as comparable to the Tuvaluan fatele or Tongan lakalaka, and the "toga" [ˈtoŋa] sound to the word alludes to such an origin.

Dress code is usually quite uniform, with all members of the tautoga wearing a "hạ' fạli", which is analogous to a sulu, sarong, or lava-lava, all of the same colour and design, as well as a collared shirts or blouses (a recent adaptation, probably a missionary addition, indicating respect for chief guests at functions).

In addition to this, all members of the tautoga wear a sweet smelling flower in their ear, and a tefui (traditional garland) and titi (a skirt of long leaves), both of which are more elaborate and decorated for men than they are for women.

The dancing is accompanied by a group of singers who sit at the back, beating a pile of mats with large drumming sticks.

As in the sua, the women remain stationary while performing the tiap hi; they confine their movements to graceful, subtle hand motions.

In one version of the genre, the men maintain a textless drone, while the women sing four or eight verses, recounting legends.

Songs usually acknowledge distinguished personages, especially the chiefs acting as hosts; the texts praise people whose labors have contributed to the event (Hereniko 1991:130-131).

A group of elders provides accompaniment for the sua and the tiap forau: with wooden sticks, they beat on a pile of folded mats.