March Equinox in Tonga ― Date, History, and Details
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History of March Equinox in Tonga and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
The March equinox occurs every year on March 20 or 21 and is one of two times when the sun is directly above the equator. This results in equal amounts of day and night across the globe. For those in the Northern Hemisphere, the March equinox marks the start of spring. The word “equinox” comes from the Latin for “equal night.”
In Tonga, the March equinox occurs during the summer season. This is because Tonga is located in the Southern Hemisphere. For Tongans, the March equinox signals the start of the harvest season. Farmers will begin to harvest crops such as yams, taro, and bananas. Fishing is also an important part of the Tongan economy and the March equinox is a good time to fish as the waters are teeming with fish.
The March equinox is also a time for celebration in Tonga. The equinox is considered to be a sacred time and many religious ceremonies and rituals are performed. One of the most important ceremonies is the ‘Unuaki ‘o e Langi, or the ‘Descent of the Sky’. This ceremony is held at the royal palace and involves the king descending from the sky on a rope. This is seen as a symbol of his power and authority.
Other celebrations include the ‘Alofa mo e Langi’ or the ‘Love for the Sky’ festival. This is a time when people offer gifts to the gods and pray for a good harvest. The March equinox is an important time in the Tongan calendar and is celebrated by both the young and old.