The Final Resting Place Of Tupou The Fourth

At around 11.40 at night, on the 11th of September 2006 the people and nation of Tonga was struck with the annoucment that Taufa' ahau Tupou the fourth had died in Auckland at Mercy Hostpital with his relitives at his side. Tupou the fourth had ruled the Tongan Kingdom for around 42 years and ended it at the aged of 88. He was flown back to Tonga on a New Zealand Royal Airplane with full military honour where his body was laid to rest at the royal Tombs in Nukualofa. At the airport in Tonga mass of people gather to lead there great king to the palace. The countrie was covered in purple and black as a sign of mourning. On the side of the streets school students lined sitting down with thier heads down showing respect to the past king. The crown prince George the Fifth was taken to parliament where he was given the title of the king of Tonga. On the day of burial the kings body was carried from the palace to the royal tombs. the grounds of the royal tombs was filled with mourning tongans and people of all different ethnic groups who repersented thier country. Amoung these repersentives was the crown prince of Japan, the Prime Minister of New Zealand who have close ties with Tonga. The kings body was finally laid to rest by the nima tapu who were known as the the undertakers of the King. They were sacred people who were not allowed to be touched or they were not allowed to eat with thier hands. After the burial ceremony the People were still mourning which will last for a month. Food has be given to the royal family and the Nima Tapu familes. A long journey has ended, but a new one has just began.