Kava has been prevalent in Vanuatu culture for years. It was used by chiefs to discuss significant matters and to settle disputes. Kava was also drunk to do tamafah, which is a ceremony to thank the spirits for the land, sea and people. After having a shell of kava, a few words are said to demonstrate their gratitude.
When co-existing villages had problems with each other, the chief from each village would enter the nakamal harmoniously as it was a place of peace and friendship. Violence and aggression was not permitted and this was mutually understood across Vanuatu.
In this modern day and age, the morale and custom associated with nakamals are still as strong as ever. In a recent case, prisoners who escaped from prison went straight to the nakamal as they knew they would be safe. Police were not able to forcefully remove the prisoners due to the emblematic nature of kava.
Tanna Island Kava mythology
Each island has their own kava story. In the island of Tanna, women are still not allowed to drink kava. They are also not allowed to be near men when they drink kava or be near the preparation of kava. Back in the days, the Tannese people drank wild kava, also known as tue-dai. However one day a woman from Fortuna, which is a small island west of Tanna, was peeling vegetables at the beach. Whilst crouching in the saltwater, a spirit placed a smooth magic stone in her vagina. Astonished, she removed it and brought it back to the village.
When the chief saw the magical stone, he called a meeting to display the stone at kava that evening. The spirit appeared and showed them the proper kava plant as apparently they had been drinking the wrong kava. The spirit went on to tell the men that the stone was sacred and must be respected. The men then placed the stone in a revered timber bowl filled with water. The following day, the bowl was abundant with stones that were identical to the original stone.
Other chiefs and men of high status throughout Tanna came and took a stone each to their own villages. These stones are the reason why the men from Tanna are able to prepare strong and clean kava that is still popular today.
Efate Island Kava Mythology
In the island of Efate, there lived a chief called Roi Mata who known all throughout Vanuatu for his legacy as a great leader. Four hundred years ago he lived in the village of Mangaas but died in Fels Cave on Lelelpa Island. However Chief Roi Mata was buried on Hat Island (otherwise known as Artok) and as he was considered to be such a powerful and honorable man, the whole island was deserted for his burial.
To accompany him in the afterlife, more than 50 members of his family and court sacrificed themselves. The men drank copious amounts of kava to feel relaxed and to pay their respects for Chief Roi Mata. The women simply ate a feast. Afterwards, they were all buried alive with men dying peacefully due to the effects of the kava. Four centuries later, Hat Island is still considered forbidden territory to respect Chief Roi Mata.
