For traditional use, imagine a large woven mat with a tanoa (large, carved, hardwood bowl) placed at the head position of the mat. From the front of the tanoa is a short length of reddish cord made from the fibers of the coconut husk. At the end of the cord is a pure white cowry shell which will be directed toward a chief or honored guest.
Next, the participants seat themselves on the mat in a circle beginning and ending at the tanoa. Behind the tanoa will be the kava mixer and to his right, the kava server. The kava will be served in coconut shell cups. The tanoa is filled with water and the mixer places some kava in a strainer cloth, then dips the cloth into the water and begins to gently massage it.
Gradually the clear water takes on a tan color and after a while begins to turn opaque. When the mixer deems it to be the proper strength, a cup of kava is passed to the honored guest to judge if it is too weak or too strong. If too weak the cloth is returned to the water for more massaging, if too strong, a little water will be added. Once the proper strength is attained the mixer runs both hands around the rim of the tanoa, claps three times and proclaims "the kava is ready, my chief". Now we are ready to drink.
The mixer dips a cup of kava and gives it to the server to pass to the first participant. In turn each drinker will clap once in acceptance and drink the content without pause. Afterwards the drinker and the rest of the kava circle clap three times in appreciation and the cup is passed back to the server. This process is repeated until all have had a cup to drink.
During the intervals between the passing of the cup, the partakers relax and talk story. There is no standard interval length, and at the mixers discretion another round is served. The object is not to simply empty the tanoa as quickly as possible, but to enjoy each others company and the shared mutual experience of the kava ceremony.
When the tanoa is empty, and if the group desires, a fresh bowl is mixed and the party continues. Often many tanoa are consumed as the hours slip by in the pleasant conversation and the feeling of mellow well being.
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17-Jun-2008