The James T. Callow Folklore Archive

KAVA CEREMONY

IN FIJI THE KAVA CEREMONY IS PERFORMED WHEN HONOR IS TO
BE SHOWN TO SOMEONE OR FOR SOME SPECIAL REASON, LIKE A
WEDDING. IT CONSISTS IN USING THE ROOTS OF THE KAVA
TREE, DRIED AND CRUSHED WITH WATER. THE MEN ONLY
PERFORM THIS CEREMONY AND THEY SIT IN A LARGE CIRCLE
CHANTING IN FIJIAN WHILE ONE OF THEM MINES THE WATER
AND ROOTS. WHEN THE DRINK IS READY, THE PRINCIPLE
OF THE GROUP TAKES HALF A COCONUT SHELL FULL OF KAVA
AND BRINGS IT TO THE GUEST OF HONOR. THE GUEST IS
SUPPOSED TO DRINK IT ALL AND THEN SPIN THE COCONUT
SHELL BACK TO THE MIXER.

Where learned: ITALY ; ROME

Date learned: 11-00-1970