| 释义 |
‖ taovala|taʊvələ|
[Tongan.]
In Tonga, a piece of fine matting worn round the waist over a vala or Tongan kilt (and without which one is not considered properly dressed).
Traditionally worn by the male (with the exception of the Queen as monarch). It should be torn in several places, to show that the wearer does not set himself above his fellows.
1947Pacific Islands Monthly Sept. 60/3 (caption) He wears the ‘Taovala’ (mat tied with coconut fibre) which is a ‘must’ with all Tongans who would show respect to their chiefs. 1953News Chron. 2 June 7/1 With him rides a Queen—Queen Salote Tupon of the Tonga Islands. Her ceremonial dress includes a loose blouse and ankle-length skirt, round which is draped a tao-vala—a mat made from brown pandana leaves. 1977Daily Tel. 15 Feb. 17/4 Pretty Tongan girls in white with the Taovala (traditional belts made from tree bark) round their waists kept the Royal party as cool as they could with fans made from the prickly-leaved pandanus tree. |