My first SUTT Conference

07/03/07 , by Posted by: admin

The Conference (Konifelenisi - Koni), was not in my initial Tonga plan, but a few coincidents led me to one of the biggest event in the church calendar in Tonga. I am glad I decided to spend some time in what is seen as the meeting to decide the way forward for the SUTT church (Siasi Uesiliana Tau'ataina 'o Tonga) - Tonga's largest church. It has been my first experience of the Koni.

Everything was enormous, to say the least; the food/feast, the tongan matts, the choirs aplenty, the meetings, the amount of people, the size of people, hectic traffic, etc. Rightly so because this is where the most important decisions regarding Tonga's biggest church are being made. From electing the church's President and its Secretary, to deciding who is fit to be a minister (fili Faifekau), to moving the ministers around (fehikitaki), and various leaders in the lower part of the church's structures. And many other important issues that are being raised.

Because of the importance of the event, every known personnel connected to the SUTT church has to be there. You have to have a very very strong reason(s) not to be at the Koni. If you want to see who's who in the SUTT this is the event to come to.

Few things I find fascinating. The church has a very strong structure that kind of hold it together. And when you get to a certain level in the church you tend to follow a kind of strong current that it is hard to explain. Swim along not against because you would find that it is alot easier to do so. As an example, being a Faifekau (Minister), is very important and indeed crucial for the church life but it isn't a clear cut process as I had intially thought.

There is the church traditional and sometimes, complicated process to follow. But then when you get to the final stages of the process, the rumour is, family history is one important factor in deciding if you should be a Faifekau or wait a bit longer. It can sway votes. Interesting!

And what about the humongous presentation of food! It is a tradition that members of the church value highly - prepare church feasts as best as you can! give all you have (almost). I think it is a fantastic tradition to hold on to. However, most things a great but loose some of its edges or become destructive when it is overdone.

There is always a presentation of Tongan koloa (matts) in every meal time, and these items have good financial worths. I think they are beautiful, and giving is a biblical virture. But (OK, another 'but'), when us Tongan residing overseas read of the dive in the Tongan economy, you travel to Tonga expecting the worse. And you don't feel too taxing when relatives in Tonga keep asking for some more money to be sent over hearing how hard it is economically. But it doesn't make sense to sit and watch the endless supply of food and expensive Tongan matts throughout the 10 days or so the Koni is going on! Mark Twain is right - there are three kinds of lies; lies, damn lies and statistics.

But the most fascinating issue for me is the way the church hosts those that attend. People come from all over the world - not just Tonga! Most, if not all, were being host at Queen Salote College, the churchs' girls high school adjacent to the meeting venues and feasting field. What an eye opener! And what a mess!

I shall pick up on this in the next one. Malo for now!

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• July 10, 2007, 5:04 am - Naki Misa

  Great to read of the koni's gathering, but the extravagant feasting during this gathering has always puzzled me.

  It's indeed a worldwide premise that Tonga's economy is on a deficit and has been for the last few years, and yet the description of the event up here paints a totally different picture.

  I'm almost 100 percent sure, that the finance of koni came from abroad, and loan sharks as well. I find it amazing that there are still puaka tunu left in Tonga these days. I've heard that some of the pigs were shipped from NZ to help out. I know for a fact that the most of the meat came from NZ.

  On the other hand, I'm glad that consumables and the retail sector is keeping the economy afloat, however, this is not a reliable long term pillar to hold the economy together.

  Siale, I'm glad the Navei folks enjoyed the koni, and hope the chairperson visits every year so you can continue to attend hehehe.

• July 10, 2007, 2:11 am - Viliami Uasike

  The Koni was so great for those who were not invited especially the Navei folks. Luckily it was a church event and its so amaze to experience such a gathering. First time for me and thanks the Navei president for dragging me in. Miss the puakatunu and the seafoods.

  'Ofa lahi