Kava preparation in Vanuatu

Kava is a narcotic used on some Pacific islands from roots of a plant of the same name. Supposedly the best kava comes from the Vanuatu archipelago. In most Western countries it is not legal but in Vanuatu it is and probably is also more popular than beer. Possibly this is the reason why Vanuatu is one of the safest countries in the world; kava has calming influence, as opposed to alcohol.

There are numerous taboos connected with the preparation and consumption of kava. Only men can drink kava, it is taboo for women. On the island of Tanna there is a forest clearing near every village where kava is prepared and consumed; for women it is a taboo even to approach this place. The drink is prepared by young men who chew the roots and spit it out and then squeeze the juice with fabric made with coconut fibre. Older men are not allowed to prepare the drink, they wait and make speeches like the Greeks on Areopagus. 

The drink is served to the men starting with the most senior. The drink looks like coffee with milk but tastes more like toothpaste solution. Men sometimes shout some incomprehensible words after drinking a bowlful, they say the kava speaks through them. One bowlful brings a feeling of inner peace, three bowlfuls make it impossible to walk.

These pictures were taken in 2015 in Vanuatu, on the island of Tanna in a village at the foot of Yasur volcano.

Leaves of the kava plant.

Roots of kava.

Chewing kava.

Squeezing the juice of kava.

Squeezing the juice of kava.

Kava in a coconut shell.

Making speeches while waiting for kava.

Drinking kava.