How are the legs used in Tongan dance performances?

In Tongan dance performances, the legs are primarily utilized to maintain the rhythm of the performance through sideward stepping movements.1

Unlike some other dance traditions that emphasize hip or torso movement, Tongan dance is characterized by a marked absence of such motions. Instead, the focus of the dance is placed on the upper body, specifically the rotation of the lower arm and the flexion and extension of the wrist, complemented by a quick sideward tilt of the head. These movements serve as a visual extension of poetry, which is central to the Tongan tradition of interpreting mythology, genealogies, and historical events through dance.1