In Vanuatu, kava has been an integral part of their culture for centuries. It was used by chiefs during ceremonies and important events to discuss significant matters. Kava relaxed the men and encouraged peace through its soothing effects. Additionally, it was only men who were only allowed to drink and women were banned from doing so.
In this day and age, women and men are allowed to drink kava at nakamals, otherwise known as kava bars. You will find a diversity of races and ages of people who buy kava at the nakamal. It is a popular place for people to go after a hard day at work and is the equivalent of having a beer at the pub after work in western society.
Each kava bar is unique. Some are sophisticated with decent construction such as roofing and clean floors whilst others come in the form of a wooden hut with dirt floors. Others serve their kava chilled and others distribute their kava warm. Some kava bars have breath taking landscape views while some are tucked away into a busy side street. Kava is bought in ‘shells’.
A shell is typically a bowl or half a coconut shell. The price of kava is relatively cheap and ranges from 50vt to 400vt (not for the faint hearted) per shell. Nakamals are symbolic of friendship amongst both locals and expatriates and still remains a strong part of Vanuatu culture.
