Why is hip and torso movement limited in traditional Tongan dance?

In traditional Tongan dance, the focus is placed on the interpretation of sung poetry through stylized gestures, which are primarily executed using the hands and arms.1

The absence of hip and torso movement is a defining characteristic of this tradition because Tongan dance is a visual extension of oral texts that honor high-ranking chiefs and validate the society's rank-based structure. Rather than utilizing the hips or torso, dancers emphasize the rotation of the lower arm, the flexion and extension of the wrist, and a quick sideward tilt of the head. The legs are used primarily to maintain time through sideward stepping movements, ensuring that the dancer remains a storyteller who interprets the text rather than a character in a drama. This emphasis on arm and hand movements serves to maintain the dignity and formality required by the social and political context of the performances.1