Fakamalele - Fahu 101

Prof. Futa Helu's fahu, HRH Princess Salote Mafile'o Pilolevu, performing one of the last duties of a fahu, the FAKAMALELE. 

When in mourning everything is silent, no music, no tv, & no laughter. When the mourning process is over, the fahu makes noise or plays music.

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FAHU: Is ones fathers eldest sister (MEHIKITANGA 'EIKI), if she is not present then one of her sisters or their children sit in for her but the fahu's koloa should still always be called to the mehikitanga 'eiki.

If none of ones fathers sisters or their children is present, the FAHU LOA (your fathers fathers eldest sister) will fahu. If the fahu loa isn't present her children or grandchildren (only from her daughters) will fahu. 

There is no way that anyone can fahu on their fathers family. A man can fahu over his mothers side but his children can't. Cousins of the opposite sex also can't fahu because of the taboo over tuonga'ane & tuofefine. 

If the deceased is male & his mehikitanga, her children & lohu loa isn't present, the to'ukai mo hono lohu (sisters eldest daughter) will fahu.