Kava

Kava Oceania
Literally, ‘bitter’. An intoxicating drink brewed from the root or leaves of a plant of the pepper family. It is important in Polynesian ceremonies, though the drink is sometimes used to quiet hunger. In a Tongan myth, a king went to visit a place troubled by famine. Since there was no food to offer him, a noblewoman had her baby dressed and cooked like a baked pig. When he discovered the deception, he said, ‘I am not a man-eater. Take it away and give it a chiefapos;s burial.’ This they did. And the next morning the people noticed that a plant had come up out of the childapos;s grave. The king told them to tend this plant, the kava, which would be their curse or blessing, according to the way they used it.

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