The kava bar scene is growing in popularity all over the world. A kava bar is a great place to experience traditional kava culture and enjoy some delicious kava drinks.
With more kava bars popping up in cities all over the United States, one might wonder where and how it all began. Interestingly enough, drinking kava is actually an old religious and cultural tradition of many different places in western Oceania. Places that have this tradition are called kava cultures. There are certain parallels in the ways that these different tribes and islands use kava, but each has its own set of traditions – explore what these are below.
Fiji
People in Fiji consume kava (also known as “grog” or “yaqona”) at all hours of the day, in both public and private settings. The drink is a type of greeting and plays a role in key socio-political events.
Futuna
In Futuna, people use kava in rituals, especially when the people are appointing a new chief. They use kava in support of the system of social ranking, as well as to symbolize the ties between people and their chiefs.
Hawaii
Also called ʻAwa in Hawaii, kava earned the title of the “drink of the gods” and gained reverence from its people in this way. Throughout history, kava tea has been used in most important events, particularly religious ceremonies honoring Hawaiian deities.
Rotuma
People in Rotuma use kava as part of a ceremonial event, and the kava ceremony is a highly political affair, with people being fed according to their rank.
Samoa
One of the most prominent Samoa Island rituals is the kava or ‘Ava ceremony. It is a somber Samoan tradition in which the people share kava as a ceremonial beverage to commemorate significant events. The Samoan term ‘Ava is a cognate of the Polynesian word kava, which is linked to Oceania’s kava cultures. In Samoa, both terms are understood.
Tonga
Kava is similar to alcohol in Tonga. Its people consume it nightly at kalapu (Tongan meaning for “club”). Women who serve the kava may be present, but only men are allowed to drink it.
In some of Tonga’s outer islands, people consume kava almost every night. However, it is only on Wednesday and Saturday nights on the main island of Tongatapu. Kava consumption might last up to eight or nine hours in some cases.
All important occasions, like weddings, funerals, university graduations, and royal occasions commemorate the event with a more formal kava drinking ritual.
ʻUvea (Wallis Island)
During casual kava parties in Uvea (Wallis Island), people assign young boys to pass around kava in cups. The older boys go around the group, making sure each person has had kava to drink, while the younger ones go collect the water to combine with the kava.
Vanuatu
Kava is traditionally a night time drink in Vanuatu, in a place known as a Nakamal. Nakamals are village clubhouses that are only open to men in various places. Traditionally, these clubhouses serve kava in an empty coconut shell.
Conversely, there are numerous kava bars in Vanuatu’s urban centers which are open to both women and men. A lantern at the entrance indicates the availability of kava, and it is assigned a particular color to indicate a kava bar. Instead of using coconut shells, these establishments typically serve kava in plastic or glass bowls.
All of these establishments place a greater emphasis on socializing and recreational objectives than on the spiritual or therapeutic benefits of kava intake.
Continental United States
In the United States, kava is legal and Americans like to consume it at specialty kava bars. Those who use kava for recreational purposes and those who believe in its curative properties, are both welcome at kava bars. In the United States, people sometimes serve kava alongside the more controversial kratom. Kratom is a popular herb in some states. When consumed as a tea or brew, it is known to have calm and relief-inducing effects. In the year 2000, the first kava bar in the United States, Nakava, opened in Boca Raton, Florida.
The New Bar Experience
Kava bars are appearing all over the U.S., and it’s no surprise why. The more that people begin to learn about the benefits of kava, the more they hear about the possible benefits that it holds. Imagine going to a bar that helps out your body instead of hurting your liver. That’s what we offer. The kava bar experience tends to come alive at night, which leads to a sense of true community. With the all-natural benefits that come from many of our products, your trip to Elixir Lounge can’t be beaten by another bar.
Kava users claim that kava can help with some of their ailments or help them recover from a long day. Customers describe some of the possible health benefits as:
- Helping them deal with anxiety
- Helping them deal with insomnia
- Helping to create a relaxing feeling
Due to the benefits of our customers’ experience, a lot of them come to us seeking out ways to relax and forget about the crazy world around them. Relaxing and tuning out the world for a while is a major benefit to our customers.
Experience Our Kava Culture
If you would like to learn more about kava, our lounge hours, or find out what kind of products we offer, please give us a call at +1 801-706-1929. We are more than happy to tell you about all of the ways that our lounge experience is superior to others.
Here at Elixir lounge, we serve only the best kava, CBD, elixir, and kombucha. Our bar and lounge environment has our customers in mind, with an ambiance for everyone to feel tranquil and relaxed as they experience kava. Have a drink, try out the many things that we offer, and give your mind a break. We are completely non-judgmental and welcoming for all, no matter if you’ve tried our products or not. Come into Elixir Lounge and give our products a try today! You can call us for more information at +1 801-706-1929. We’d love to hear from you!
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