Kavakava - History and Folklore
The botanical name of kavakava, Piper methysticum, means "intoxicating pepper." It is a mild hypnotic used traditionally in Polynesia for ceremonial purposes. The tough roots of the kavakava plant were prechewed by young people with strong teeth. The mash was strained and then added to water or coconut milk.
Adult men drank the beverage at peace ceremonies and other ritual occasions and to welcome visiting dignitaries. An important aspect of the ceremonial consumption of kavakava was to induce not only a pleasant state of relaxation but also, and quite deliberately, to relax social barriers and enhance social cohesion (Lemert, 1979). Kavakava was used as a libation to deities such as the shark god. It was taken to inspire visions or to increase the mana (power) when a priest wished to identify the spiritual cause of an illness.
It is unclear if kavakava was associated with specific health problems in precolonial times, since the keepers of ritual secrets were reluctant to reveal them to missionaries and traders. Missionaries attempted to ban the use of kavakava because of its association with traditional religious practices as well as what they considered an unsanitary method of preparation.
