Coconut Oil Helps Olympian to Shine Brightly
Tonga’s flagbearer Pita Nikolas Taufatofua leads his delegation during the opening ceremony of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Maracana stadium in Rio de Janeiro on August 5, 2016. / AFP / OLIVIER MORIN (Photo credit should read OLIVIER MORIN/AFP/Getty Images). Photo courtesy of Time Magazine
Pita Taufatofua Representing Tonga at the Olympics
Pita Nikolas Taufatofua of Tonga became famous this last week. Yes, he is a gifted Taekwondo competitor, but his fame came from his desire to honor his culture while representing his nation in the opening exercises of the 2016 Summer Olympics. The world wanted to know, Who is that shiny man, and why?
Pita is 32 years old. He is single, and he actually lives in Australia. But his father is Tongan, and is honored to be on the Tongan Olympic team
The answer to “why” he was oiled is both simple and heartfelt. It is a part of Tongan culture to present oneself as well as possible. The most common event for applying a layer of coconut oil as an adornment to one’s skin is for young ladies performing a traditional tau'olunga. This is a graceful dance performed traditionally at weddings or other special occasions by a young woman coming of age (around 16 years old). Coconut oil is massaged into the dancer’s skin, giving it a shiny ‘glow’ meant to complement the human shape. Historically, Tongans also applied oil to their men before going into battle or performing for a special event.
Coconut Oil Has Many Uses
Polynesian people have understood for years that the magical coconut provides numerous benefits to mankind. The properties of coconut oil include anti-inflammatory properties, as well as a soothing balm for injuries or sunburns.
Coconut oil can be utilized for cooking, and is becoming a common substitute for butter on breads and other starches.
Coconut oil is an excellent moisturizer, as well as a treatment for dry or damaged hair. Some people use it as a toothpaste, mouthwash, or to treat oral infections.
Coconut oil is utilized throughout the beauty and health industry. But this is nothing new. Tongan mothers have known these secrets for years.
When mothers want their children to have a well-proportioned physical body with hefty calf and biceps muscles, they are massaged regularly with Tongan oil. Men use Tongan oil as a perfume, an after-shave lotion, and as a protective seal to keep them warm if they are out in the open or at sea for a long time. In the past, every family had their oil specialist who made oil for the family, scented with their favorite flower or wood. Tongan oil connoisseurs could tell which part of the country a particular Tongan oil came from by the smell of the oil.
Coconut oil is not just used and respected in Tonga. Many Polynesian and Asian countries have utilized this abundant fruit throughout their lives. All of the cultures represented at the Polynesian Cultural Center have rich traditions in gathering coconut oil and other by-products.
We also make sure that our stores here at the Polynesian Cultural Center carry an excellent line of various products for your health and enjoyment.