Fijian kava- the ceremony and significance

A DigitalNZ Story by Janice

A set of images and articles on the popular cultural kava drinking ceremony in Fiji.

Fiji, kawa, Pacific islands

Image: A kava ceremony

A kava ceremony

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

The ritual drinking of kava often takes place on significant occasions, and is accompanied by hand-clapping and traditional chants.

Source: Jacqueline Leckie, 'Fijians - Fijian culture in New Zealand', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/837/a-kava-ceremony (accessed 3 October 2019)

ROOTS AND TOOLS

Image: Kava root

Kava root

Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa

Image: Bilo ni Yaqona

Bilo ni Yaqona

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Bilo ni Yaqona

Bilo ni Yaqona

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Tanoa

Tanoa

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

The kava ceremony

Image: Fiji

Fiji

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Fiji

Fiji

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tāmaki Paenga Hira

Image: Fijian Kava Ceremony

Fijian Kava Ceremony

Alexander Turnbull Library

Image: Kava being prepared in Fiji, 1900

Kava being prepared in Fiji, 1900

Manatū Taonga, the Ministry for Culture and Heritage

Kava in the news 

Image: Kava becoming mainstream

Kava becoming mainstream

Radio New Zealand