/tags/yaqona-ceremony.rss en-us Nestled in the middle of nowhere, in the wide, blue Pacific Ocean, Fiji is a prime destination to just get away from it all. Sandy beaches, gorgeous sunsets and cheap food and drink are just some of the attractions of this little island nation. Most unique among these attractions, however, has to be the national drink of kava. If you've never heard of it, kava (which is also known as Yaqona, or grog) is a drink made from the root of a pepper called piper methstyicum. It looks a bit like muddy water, but packs a secret punch. It's not alcoholic or narcotic, but it has analgesic (pain relief) properties that make it very relaxing to drink. If this sounds like something you're not sure about but would like to try, then fear not, because a small dose of kava is perfectly harmless. It's merely loaded with Vitamin B, which acts as a natural muscle relaxant and antidepressant. And if you're not sure where to go to try it… Finding a kava ceremony in Fiji is about as easy as finding coffee in North America! Kava ceremonies are used in almost every tradition of Fijian life, but you don't have to be local to give it a try. Traditionally, if you attend a village ceremony, you should bring a piece of the kava root with you to offer to the local chief; but in other areas this may not be necessary. In all cases, participants will sit in a circle before a large bowl of kava called a “tanoa,” with their feet facing away from the bowl. The actual drinking is done from a smaller wooden bowl called a “bilo” that is passed around the group. To prepare the drink, the root is ground into a cloth with a mortar and pestle, which is then dipped in water and massaged and squeezed into the tanoa. For the kava ceremony itself, the host will begin by speaking in Fijian, but don't worry; you only have to know a few words to take part. The chief is the first to drink, and then the bilo is passed around in a circle. When the bowl is passed to you, clap once and say “Bula!” Drink the bowl down in one go before saying “Bula!” again and clapping three times. For extra politeness, you can also say “Vinaka,” or thank you. You'll probably feel your lips going numb, but it's perfectly normal. After another few rounds, you will feel your whole body relax and you might sweat a little, even though the drink is served cold. By the time you leave the kava ceremony, you should experience a tranquil light-headedness. You are now initiated as a true Fijian! Mon, 08 Feb 2010 07:34:00 +0000 http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/kava-ceremony http://www.thecircumference.org/experiences/kava-ceremony