Part of your stay at Likuliku Lagoon Resort – should you wish – is to experience the traditional Kava ceremony.
Kava Ceremony – Photo © Gourmantic
Kava is a traditional Fijian drink and plays a major part of Fijian culture. The drink which is made from the crushed root of the yaqona plant (kava root), mixed with water and strained into a large communal kava bowl.
Kava Ceremony – Photo © Gourmantic
The kava ceremony involves sitting in a circle around the kava bowl, or kava tanoa which is placed in front of the leader, usually an elder. The kava is prepared by pounding the plant in a cloth and mixing it with water, or in more modern times, placing the powdered root in a cloth bag and mixing it with water. The liquid turns a brown shade. Kava is then offered to the men first then the women.
Kava Ceremony – Photo © Gourmantic
When kava is served, you will be offered “high tide” (a full cup) or “low tide” (a half cup). The ritual involves you clapping once, saying “Bula” (Fijian for hello) and drinking the liquid in one go followed by three claps and the word maca (pronounced ma-tha).
Kava Cup – Photo © Gourmantic
Kava is a non-alcoholic beverage with mild sedative properties. You may have heard some people refer to the taste as “bitter, muddy water”. In my experience, the taste is similar to that of orris root, a key botanical in gin with a hint of bitterness. The ceremonial drink has the effect of some numbness around the mouth, lips and tongue which is very pleasant.
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