Record $110,000 received for hair-cutting and ear-piercing ceremony
The hair-cutting and ear-piercing event for the Utalo and Palahetogia family at Lakepa on Saturday has set the record of $110,000 received for the traditional ceremony.
The traditional hair cutting ceremony for 13-year-old Pao Jnr, his younger brother 7-year-old Toi Logan, and ears piercing of their three-year-old sister Taimokatama Foutau Palahetogia was held at Lialagi (pic by Sue & Keith Vial) Guests lined up to cut a braided lock of the boy’s hair and gifting them materials and garlands of money.
The family distributed over 300 invitations to family and friends on the island as well as those overseas.
Invited guests on the day were given the traditional goodie bags and also a plate of umu cooked food and at the end of the day, invited guests went home with their portion of raw taro, pork, chickens and much more.
This morning Shield Palahetogia told BCN news that they were still receiving online contributions from overseas over the weekend, and this morning the total had reached $110,000.
It’s understood that until Saturday the largest amount received at a hair-cutting ceremony was $85,000 in 2019 for the Pihigia/Talagi family.
A double celebration for the Utalo Palehetogia family on Saturday as the children’s uncle Tamuta Utalo who was the entertaining MC on the day also celebrated his 49th birthday.
Shield Palahetogia says that this was the first haircutting and ear-piercing ceremony for their family. Shield and her husband Pao and their children are very grateful for the support from their family and friends on the island and abroad.
