kava

n.

The word is Tongan for:

1) An ornamental shrub, Piper methysticum, Miq.; also Macropiper latifolium, Miq. See Kawa-kawa.

2) A narcotic and stimulant beverage, prepared from the rootof this plant, which used to be chewed by the natives of Fiji,who ejected the saliva into a Kava bowl, added water andawaited fermentation. The final stage of the manufacture wasaccompanied by a religious ceremonial of chanting. Themanufacture is now conducted in a cleaner way. Kava producesan intoxication, specially affecting the legs.

1858. Rev. T. Williams, `Fiji and the Fijians,' vol. i.p. 141:

«Like the inhabitants of the groups eastward, the Fijians drinkan infusion of the Piper methysticum, generally called Ava or Kava – – its name in the Tongan and otherlanguages. Some old men assert that the true Fijian mode ofpreparing the root is by grating, as is still the practice intwo or three places; but in this degenerate age the Tongancustom of chewing is almost universal, the operation nearlyalways being performed by young men. More form attends the useof this narcotic on Somosomo than elsewhere. Early in themorning the king's herald stands in front of the royal abode,and shouts at the top of his voice, ` Yagona!' Hereuponall within hearing respond in a sort of scream,` Mama!' – – `Chew it!' At this signal the chiefs, priests,and leading men gather round the well-known bowl, and talk overpublic affairs, or state the work assigned for the day, whiletheir favourite draught is being prepared. When the young menhave finished the chewing, each deposits his portion in theform of a round dry ball in the bowl, the inside of which thusbecomes studded over with a large number of these separatelittle masses. The man who has to make the grog takes the bowlby the edge and tilts it towards the king, or, in his absence,to the chief appointed to preside. A herald calls the king'sattention to the slanting bowl, saying, `Sir, with respects,the yagona is collected.' If the king thinks it enough,he replies, in a low tone, ` Loba' – – `Wring it – – an orderwhich the herald communicates to the man at the bowl in alouder voice. The water is then called for and graduallypoured in, a little at first, and then more, until the bowl isfull or the master of the ceremonies says, `Stop!' the operatorin the meantime gathering up and compressing the chewed root.»

1888. H. S. Cooper, `The Islands of the Pacific,' p. 102:

«Kava is the name given to a liquor produced by chewing theroot of a shrub called angona, and the ceremonious part of thepreparation consists in chewing the root.»