Kava bowls are some of the most culturally significant objects in the South Pacific. When you think of the South Pacific, you probably imagine the amazing white sand beaches, the endless blues of the ocean and the always captivating coconut palms. And rightly so! If you have never been, we highly recommend that you plan a trip (see our Travel section in Cerulean Living) because a trip to at least one of the many island nations there should definitely be on everyone’s bucket list.
Photo Credit: The Four Seasons Hotel, Bora Bora, French Polynesia
But before boarding that plane, there is one way that you can make your trip so much more special: spend a bit of time online to find out what makes your destination of choice the special one that it is and see how it differs from its neighbors in art and in culture. (Also, if you plan to stay on the beach or especially in a bungalow over the water, always check to see if the tide goes out and when it goes out. You will thank us later!)
Photo Credit: The Likuliku Resort, Mamanuca Islands, Fiji
When deciding where to go, be sure to check out everything you can in addition to where you will be staying. There are differences in local languages, cultural practices, architectural designs and in the artwork which will make your trip so much more worth it if you know about them beforehand. Each island nation in the South Pacific has its own history and its own cultural identity. And each one produces its own truly beautiful artwork. That is where things get really interesting!
For now, we are currently focused on the Fiji Islands because that is where inspiration struck for us to start our import business. As we discover more about neighboring island countries (Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga, etc), we will share those discoveries with you. So onward to kava bowls from Fiji!!
Tanoa and Kava
The kava bowl is called “tanoa” in the Fiji Islands. It is the central part of family and community gatherings. Historically it was reserved for the highest chiefs of tribes and local society. Kava (known as “yaqona” or “grog” locally) is a drink made from mixing water with the powdered root of the pepper plant (piper methysticum) in a tanoa. The drink produces a mildly narcotic and relaxing effect.
Kava Root. Photo credit: Kalm With Kava
Throughout the South Pacific, drinking kava has been a part of ceremonial occasions for centuries. It was originally reserved for ceremonies only and that alone has made drinking kava a part of a cultural tradition for most island nations. Kava drinking was the central part of celebrating a new village chief, it was used in resolving disputes and creating agreements between different tribes and communities, and it was part of welcoming ceremonies for important visitors.
Fiji Islands: Incantation of Yangona, or Kava Bowl c.1882. Photo Credit: Antique Print Club
Photo credit: Tammy616 / Getty Images
Kava is served to ceremony participants in coconut half shell cups called bilos. Kava ceremonies are a bit different depending on the country but overall, the reasons for them and how the drink is made are very similar. Usually the chief of the village or community is the first to receive the cup. Then the next highest ranking person will take the cup and as it is refilled, the cup passes to everyone else depending on their status and position in the group.
Photo credit: SPREP.ORG
Today, kava bowls are used by friends and family to serve kava as they gather to relax and visit with each other. In Fiji, visitors to kava ceremonies are expected to dress modestly as Fiji has a more conservative approach about how to dress. Neither men nor women should show their knees. When wearing shorts, it is best to have a sulu with you (Fiji’s version of a sarong) so you can wrap it around yourself. Women should avoid short dresses and they should also not have exposed shoulders (a t-shirt takes care of that!). Speaking of modesty ladies, no cleavage either. And no hats either for men or women.
Kava being prepared in Togo Village on the island of Qamea for guests (us!) from the neighboring Matangi Private Island Resort.
Participants sit cross-legged on the floor in front of the chief or head of the ceremony as he mixes the powdered kava root with water in the tanoa (kava bowl). The powdered kava root is strained through a cloth which is repeatedly soaked and squeezed. When the kava is ready, it is scooped into a coconut shell. We were asked if we wanted a “low tide” (half shell) or a “high tide” (full shell).
As the cup is passed and refilled, it will make its way to you. It really is considered an insult in Fiji if you refuse it. Kava is a bit intimidating to look at but as we always say when traveling, honest attempts to fit into the local culture are beyond appreciated by the locals and it takes you so much farther in life! Also when kava is made at your resort or during an organized tour to a local village (like we did), it is made with bottled water so it is totally safe to drink.
Just before taking the cup, clap once with cupped hands (not like when you are clapping to give applause, they were very specific about that!), take the bowl and just drink it down. Drink the whole earthy, slightly bitter, muddy-looking drink in one gulp and then say “Bula!” (boo-lah). Then you hand the cup back to the chief and clap 3 times again with cupped hands. Everyone will clap along with you.
Photo credit: sista.com.vu
A quick note about the word “Bula”: You will hear it all the time in Fiji. It is such a cool word and you will love hearing it! When someone says it to you, you say it right back. It is similar to “Aloha” in Hawaii and means much more than the simple “Hi!” or “Hello” we use here in the US. “Bula” is an all-inclusive word that is used to greet someone while wishing them a great day or great health at the same time. Sometimes they say it twice to you, “Bula Bula!” and it just means all that much more!
So kava’s cultural significance goes far beyond just being a regular drink in the South Pacific. It is truly a part of everyday life and is a very deep part of the South Pacific culture. And now that we have covered what kava is, on to the kava bowls!!
Tanoa (Kava Bowls): Stunning Additions to Tropical Themes
Kava bowl designs range from the simple, unfinished look on one end to the most beautiful and intricately carved on the other. In Fiji, they are traditionally carved from a native hardwood called vesi wood and they feature various complex carvings, patterns, and images of marine and plant life. They are finished with beautiful stains and are polished to bring out the features of the wood and the carvings. Many of them also have accents made from shell and mother-of-pearl. The artistry is amazing!
They are available in a wide range of sizes. This kava bowl with the sea turtles and hibiscus flower is available in 19 different sizes ranging from 12 to 30 inches across!
Some are smaller like these miniature bowls which range in size from 3 to 6 inches. These are 4 inch kava bowls here and the rims each have their own unique carved designs.
This amazing kava bowl with the giant sea turtle is available in sizes from as small as 6 inches across to as big as 30 inches.
This simple kava bowl with small shell accents on the rim is available in 15 different sizes from 6 to 20 inches across.
It really looks great when paired with other wood pieces such as this pot and bamboo plant stand.
And this bowl has beautiful cup shell inlaid in the rim. It comes in 8 sizes from 10 to 24 inches. The really cool thing about all of these kava bowls is that same bowl can also be used to create a totally different look just by changing how it is displayed. They can be displayed flat as shown here.
Or they can be displayed standing up as the legs allow for them to stand on their sides.
Endless Versatility
Since they come in so many sizes with an endless array of designs, they can be used in so many ways to bring a truly authentic tropical look and feel into your home. The beauty and artistry of these kava bowls will not disappoint. You can find them in our on our Kava Bowl page!
So we hope you have enjoyed this section of our guide about kava bowls. As we receive more designs and styles, we will definitely share those with you. We don’t have pieces in from Samoa yet but we hope to very soon as they are very different from those in Fiji!
Just as we shared the section about cannibal forks, we want to be your source of truly unique yet truly authentic artisan crafts and artwork. We want your tropical spaces to be as original as possible! So please look for us at your favorite home decor retailer or design center. If you don’t find us there, let us know! We will gladly contact them to show them what we have!