The Natche, a Ceremony in Honour of the King’s Son, in Tongataboo

At Mu’a from 8 to 9 July Cook and his crew observed the Insai or Natche ceremony, the meaning of which is something of a mystery; although given its focus on the Fatafehi Paulaho’s son, it is thought to have marked his coming of age. Cook wrote that it celebrated the first occasion upon which father and son ate together. Food played a central role in the celebrations; the line of figures depicted carry sticks from which smaller sticks are tied symbolically representing yams which are presented to Paulaho and his son who sit inside the hut in the left middleground.

(See J&S Vol. III, Text pp.38-9, Cat. 3.61-3.61A)

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