Kava is the traditional drink in Fiji and most areas in Melanesia. The most potent ones they say are from Papua New Guinea and Vanuatu. This is used for village ceremonies. We visited the village of Kandavu and we brought the the Kava root above to the village chief and elders. One cannot visit a village in Fiji without offering the roots of the Kava. A presentation of the visitors are made to the chief or "ratu". It is required that all introduce themselves. Then the chief and elders make a speech and then the kava ceremony starts with the pounding of the root and then placed in a cloth then pressed in water in the Tanoa --the wooden bowl you see below. It is served with a ritual. It is served on a common coconut bowl to each one. The one offering will clap 3 times, then the one receiving is required to clap before receiving with both hands. It is protocol to drink the first bowl as a show of respect to the village.
4 comments:
What does this taste like?
I am now very much intrigued with what what you, Daisy, that allows you to travel to these exotic places that I could only dream of :)
Hi Senor Enrique,
Kava taste a bit like mint and woody and earthly. There is just one common coconut bowl parang tagayan dito sa atin.
I love the outdoors which I guess led me to work for environmental conservation. Indeed it is a blessing to visit villages like Navakavu.
If you plan to go there I will ask friends to help you get around.
I will definitely let you know, Daisy. Thanks :)
Would you happen to know the folks over at Clean and Green Foundation? They're mostly UP grads as well, I think.
Hello Senor Enrique,
Ok please do let me know if you plan to travel to the South Pacific.
Sorry I am not familiar with the Clean and Green Foundation.
It is great that we have organizations like these :O)
Post a Comment