Ava Ceremony
American Samoa
Although there is much western influence here, the American Samoans hold deeply to their traditional culture, known as the fa'a Samoa. The ava ceremony is very ritualized here and performed during very important events. The Kava root is prepared in a special wooden bowl, traditionally by a virgin daughter of a village chief. It is usually accompanied by chanting and dancing. The drink itself tastes like mud or dishwater, and makes the mouth tingle. It is actually a mild narcotic.
©Bill Yeaton