You’re likely to be given a shell of kava pretty much anywhere that you spend more than a day or two in Fiji, without resorting to a resort pool. It is not a tourist show put on for the visitors, but the social and ceremonial hub of Fijian life, older than the oldest resort on the islands. This kava ceremony Fiji guide will inform you of what exactly is involved in this ceremony, how one should participate in it with respect, and what to expect the first time you are handed the bowl.
The true definition of Kava
Kava – known locally as yaqona – is made from the pounded root of Piper methysticum, a plant in the pepper family. The root is cooked in water and filtered through a cloth into a big carved wooden bowl called a tanoa. The result is a mild sedative, non-alcoholic beverage, making you relaxed and chatty, but not drunk. Its earthy, slightly peppery, muddy flavor and a mild numbing effect on the lips and tongue. It is not for the taste – that’s why people gather around the bowl.
Kava has been a part of life on the Pacific Islands for centuries. It is found all over Fiji; between neighbours at the end of a street, at the welcome to a village, at a wedding and even between communities in a dispute. Realizing that range is important; the formality of a circle with a chief is just the most formal way that Fijians enact what they do all the time, in more relaxed circumstances.
Welcome Ceremony – Sevusevu
The ritual that most visitors experience is the formal presentation of kava root to a village chief at their first arrival, known as sevusevu. In many villages, including those where a “homestay” or visit might be planned, it is customary to make this gesture of respect. What’s presented is a bundle of kava root, sold at local markets at a low price, which is given to the chief or his representative, together with a brief introduction of you and your origin.
Unless you are travelling to a resort or have a licensed guide, this is typically done for you -you do not have to purchase kava root and handle the etiquette yourself. If the offering is accepted, then you become a guest in the village until you leave.
The Ceremony: What happens during it?
The participants sit in a semi-circle, cross-legged, facing the tanoa, with the chief or ceremony leader in the middle. The root or prepared kava is presented formally, a few words are spoken, and then the drink is mixed and served, usually starting with the chief and going to the rest of the group by rank or seniority.
When the shell is handed to you (usually half a coconut, known as a bilo), clap once with your cupped hands, say the word ‘bula,’ swallow the entire shell at once, as opposed to taking a sip, then clap 3 times and pass the shell back. It is a learning process that you will pick up after observing the person who uses it before you, and the first time you’re not expected to nail it.
It’s okay if you say no. Do not drink, but say “vinaka” (Thank you) instead, and it will pass to the next person without any offence being taken. Respectfully watching the circle and not drinking is more important than being present.
Etiquette That Actually Matters
There are a few things that distinguish a good guest from a bad one:
- Dress modestly. Women should have shoulders and knees covered, and shorts and shirts are usually acceptable for men, but swimwear or tank tops are not suitable in a village context.
- Take hats and sunglasses off when entering the village and when part of the circle.
- Avoid turning your back to the chief or ceremony leader; don’t stand over seated participants – physical height is social weight.
- Respect the senior’s right to be served first and do not take a shell before the senior.
- A small sevusevu gift such as kava root or a small token is welcome even during an informal village visit, but not always at resort-based experiences.
- There’s no trick to it, but not doing so is the quickest path to an awkward cultural exchange.
Is It Safe?
Kava is not alcohol, and its effects- often mild relaxation and a slight numbing of the mouth, a general relaxation of formality are generally safe if made traditionally and used in the typical amounts for ceremony. However, it does have a physical effect, so be careful if you are driving, boating, or swimming afterward. Those who are pregnant or have liver ailments should consult a doctor before trying it, and frequent and prolonged use should be distinguished from a shell and a few during a visit to a village.
The best places to enjoy an authentic kava ceremony.
You don’t need to find a village yourself to enjoy it the right way. There are also many resorts in Fiji that offer kava ceremonies during a cultural evening or when you are taken to a village. At some resorts, staff perform the sevusevu before you arrive. These versions really do hail from the same traditions, but they’re put together for the visitors and not foisted upon them. For something closer to the real-life action of kava, a homestay or a guided village visit will get you much closer to the informal, constant presence kava has in day-to-day Fijian life than a resort cultural show.
FAQs
What is a kava ceremony in Fiji?
When received by visitors to a village, it is an old ceremony known as sevusevu, where kava root is given, prepared, and shared from a communal bowl. It is employed in both formal and informal village greetings, and in common use in the evening gatherings.
What is the flavor of the kava?
Earthy, peppery, with a slightly muddy taste and a mild numbness on the lips and tongue. It isn’t necessarily sweet or tasty; it’s about the culture, not the taste.
Should I take kava when I’m invited to drink it?
No. It is possible to refuse it by saying “vinaka” when it is offered, and it will be passed on to the next person. The important thing is to be in the circle, not to drink.
So is the beverage Kava safe to drink in Fiji?
For the majority of visitors in fairly normal quantities?For most visitors, in normal ceremonial quantities? It’s not intoxicating, but rather mildly sedative, and pregnant travelers and liver disease sufferers should see a doctor before drinking, and it’s not advisable to drive or swim after consuming it.
What’s the difference between kava and sevusevu?
Kava is the beverage. The kava root itself is not the drink; it is a formal presentation of the root as a gift when entering a village, which is what Sevusevu is specifically referring to.
What is the price of a kava ceremony in Fiji?
It is frequently part of a cultural evening or village excursion to resorts. When you’re planning the village visit on your own, the cost of the kava root is usually small – small compared to the importance of the gesture to your hosts – at local markets.
