Kava

The royal kava ceremony is Tonga’s most important ritual, and on ordinary evenings men drink kava in kalapu clubs, singing until dawn.

Kava is a shrub growing 2–3 m tall, with large, heart-shaped leaves and jointed stems that resemble bamboo. It is propagated only vegetatively, and its roots are ready to harvest after several years. The dried, powdered roots are mixed with water in a wooden bowl to make a cloudy drink which, thanks to kavalactones, slightly numbs the mouth and has a calming effect. Kava is one of Tonga’s more important agricultural products and exports.

Significance in the country

Taumafa kava – the royal kava ceremony – accompanies coronations and the conferring of noble titles, and the order in which the cups are served reflects the social hierarchy. Evening gatherings in kava clubs (kalapu) are the centre of Tongan men’s social life.

Where it grows

Grown on all the inhabited islands; the largest plantations are on Vava’u, ’Eua and Tongatapu.

A cultivated plant – not native here; according to the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew) it has also become naturalised in places. Source and licence

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