Kava culture
In Hawaii, at least 30 varieties of kava were used for medicinal, religious, political, cultural and social purposes by all social classes, men and women. Kava is the original pau hana drink of working people to relax and ease achy muscles. Kava was also given to fussy babies and children to calm them and help them sleep.
In Vanuatu, kava is drunk at night in a place called nakamal, "place for peace". Men drink it from a shell or empty coconut. Women were not allowed to drink kava historically. The Tamafa is a gift to the spiritual ancestors which consists of spitting a mouthful of kava drink, then telling a few words. The cult of Kava is different on each island of the archipelago. In Malekula, it is related to the cult of death. Sex and kava are related in Ni-Vanuatu culture. It is also used in traditional medicine, for fever, asthma, and aches, but the roots used for medicine are not the same ones used for drink. Pharmacologically, kava is recognized as an analgesic (pain killer), anxiolytic, and antibiotic. Kava certainly has a social, spiritual and medical purpose.
In Tonga, kava is drunk nightly at "kalapu" also called "faikava." It is strictly a male affair, although women who serve the kava may be present. The female is usually an unmarried, young woman called the "tou'a." In the past, this was a position reserved for women being courted by an unmarried male and much respect was shown. Kava drinking may last 8 or 9 hours on a regular basis. All important occasions are also marked by drinking kava, including weddings, funerals and all church related functions. When a new king takes his throne, he must participate in ancient kava ceremonies that make his rule official. Often times music will accompany kava in the form of guitar playing and singing.
In Fiji, kava, also called "grog" or "yaqona" is a part of the fabric of life, drunk nightly by families and also used for important political and social events. The importance of the kava in Fiji is not so much physical, but a psychological event where stories are told and jokes bantered. It is often seen as a peace pipe between quarreling groups.