Awa (or Kava, depending on where you are in the Pacific) is an ancient elixir, used since The time of Pre-european contact to the current day as an offering to venerated ancestral deities (of Peace, Spirituality and Aina Ola), chiefly ceremony such as Coronations and other culturally significant events as a kind of Social adhesive in everyday village meetings that see to the consistent well-being of small and more expansive community (ie Faikava) where it served as a liquid “peace keeper” during times when heavy and crucial decisions are being discussed, and finally as a medicine that serves As a light natural anaesthetic.
Due to the recent commodification of Awa/Kava in popular new-age culture and itʻs manner of use in that context, I feel that it is Important to clear up misconceptions about “what it does” for a person that employs itʻs usage. I would also like to shine light on some precautions that are note-worthy due to the implications of consumtion, from a traditional and Non-Western-Science-proven knowledge Base.
Effects
While some have treated the awa as a beverage of similar impact to impairing judgement as alcoholic spirits, that is not only a false claim on the experiential level of taking this drink, but it is also scientitfically inaccurate as alcoholic spirits are inflammatory ”mental/physical downers” that debilitate judgement whereas Awa/Kava is an anti-inflammatory “mental upper/ physical downer” thus itʻs employment by chiefs during lengthy ceremonies that required much time and mental capacity.
Traditional Medical Implication and Procedures
Excessive consumption of the commodified (dried powder) form of Kava has been known by natives of Tonga to collect in the scrotum and pose possibly life-threatening circumstances if not eliminated. The traditional manner of releasing the accumulated debris is to cut the scrotum, allowing the sediment to be removed. Another symptom of excessive consumption is dry skin patches, similar in appearance to psoriasis, called “Kani” or “Kani Kani”. Kani can be treated with roasted kukui Nut baths, but the real care is to lessen consumption. Kani may also still be considered an honourable mark throughout some provinces of Fiji.
It is also noteable that anti-inflammatory Herbs and substances should be Avoided (by Western medicine standards) during pregnancy and when attempting to conceive. Perhaps it is for this reason that Tongan Women typically did not drink Kava As the Health of the womb is crucial to the survival of a society and itʻs ways of life.
Aside from the risk of excessive usage, Awa/Kava has been noted for the numbing sensation which occurs especially when a more comcentrated amount is imbibed, whether it comes from the last scoop from a Kumete or in the form of resin extract, sometimes informally called “awa dabs”.
Originating Modes of Use
From a Tongan (and Fijian) standpoint, the mode of use original to tradition is to chew the raw green root of the Kava. In addition to the Tongan form of chewing the root is chewing sugarcane which was known to be a “crutch” to retain physical operative function while still benefiting from elevated cognition. This was an informal protocol Established from the observation of a rat having chewed kava and taking on a wayward walking pattern, to a more sober and usual manner of walking once it had chewed a sugarcane immediately afterward.
Though the awa, like many other vital facets of Pacifican culture has become generic through itʻs commercial trade, it may still offer itself as a “peace keeper” during times of stress and alarming disconnect. Perhaps some of the earth that nourished itʻs growth can help us to remain grounded ourselves.
Out of caution to not beat this subject to death (since the reference List alone will LOL), I will conclude this Blog Post here and share several Resources for Reading and watching that can help you to gain a more well-established understanding of this root of culture, some referencing itʻs use with much accuracy via concise historic recollection - and a little bit of the new age stuff,too. Mainly to compare itʻs resume of long-standing use to the contemporary forms which remain less accounted for by fact of still being in their early stages.
Much love to you and yours, take good care.
-Vei
Valuable Resources
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