page_title: Māʻuluʻulu
section_title: References
hierarchical_section_title: Māʻuluʻulu / References
caption_attribution_description: 9000 primary schoolchildren performing the biggest māʻuluʻulu dance ever seen for the crowning of the king. Teufaiva stadium, Nukuʻalofa, Tonga
context_page_description: The māʻuluʻulu is a traditional Tongan dance, performed by a group of seated men and women; stylistically, the dance form is a direct successor of the ancient Tongan ʻotuhaka having been synthesized with the Samoan Māuluulu which was imported during the 19th century.
  The performers sit down in a row on the ground, crosslegged, usually the right leg over the left. If possible men and women alternate. To the left and/or right is/are the nafa, behind them stand the langituʻa, the singers. On informal occasions the dancemaster may walk around, clapping his hands to keep up the rhythm and to encourage the performers. On formal occasions, like a presentation to the king, the dancemaster also stands in the back. Only when the dancemaster is the chief Malukava, he is allowed per tradition to be in front.
  If there are many dancers, often the case when a school performs, up to 500 at a really huge occasion, they sit in staggered rows. The dancers of front row sit on the ground. The second row on a low bench, the next row on a higher bench, and so forth. The last row usually stands, or if that is still not enough, they may stand on benches and tables.
context_section_description: A.L. Kaeppler; Tongan dance: a study in cultural change; Ethnomusicology vol 14, 1970.
  A.L. Kaeppler; Poetry in Motion: Studies in Tongan Dance; Vavaʻu Press, 1993.
  A.Linkels; Sounds of change in Tonga.
  The ma'ulu'ulu is performed on special occasions, whether it be a birthday, a wedding it all depends on who is willing to do it. There is no age limit to do this performance. Males and females can do it, or just females either way it is still accepted.
caption: For the crowning of the king in 2008, 9000 primary school children performed one huge māʻuluʻulu. The biggest dance troupe ever assembled on the world.
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