Myth of kava origin (Excerpt)

Intro of the film "Kava - the Drink of the Gods" by Thorolf Lipp. The sequence of the film deals with a myth that illustrates how kava came into being in Pentecost, Vanuatu.

More info on the author: www.thorolf-lipp.de

Buy entire film (english, 58 min.) here:
http://www.onlinefilm.org/-/film/27579

Buy entire film (engl. 90 min.) here:
http://www.onlinefilm.org/-/film/32356

Deutsche Fassung (58 min.):
http://www.onlinefilm.org/-/film/27792

Filmemacher: http://www.thorolf-lipp.de

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Kava
• Vanuatu
• Samoa
• Fiji
• Germany
• Film by Thorolf Lipp

[22871987]

Ok this documentary about Kava focosus only in Vanuatu and it is more of a story then history. In Fiji, we have our own version of how Kava/Yaqona was introduced and the importance of it in our socities. I bet the Tongan & Samoan also have their own version of the story. This is all somewhat called folkfore of the Pacific. No real evidence to support  its history.

[arcadiafilm]

@22871987 @22871987 Thanks for your comment! What you see here is only a part of a 90 minute film. It was aired by Fiji 1 in 1998 and by German TV in 2000. It deals with kava use in Vanuatu, Fiji and Samoa and also includes the process of turning kava into a drug in Germany. A myth is never an account of history. It explains how things come into being. If you want history, read Vincent Lebots excellent book on Kava! Bula, Thorolf

Buy the full film on my website Thorolf-lipp.de

[siwooot]

i thought rats only came to the islands after the europeans came

[arcadiafilm]

@siwooot A myth is never an account of true history anyway, but rats arrived in the Pacific in the course of human migration long before Europeans arrived. Check "Polynesian Rat" in Wikipedia.

[qweasd5544]

Does anyone know if you use all the roots, or just the larger tubers/ how do you grind them?

[arcadiafilm]

All parts of the roots, tuber and rhizomes, are used!

[FineHawaiianArt]

All ancient stories are at least rooted in some bit of truth, most likely this story is 100% true, as that there is nothing implausible about it. Since kava can only be cultivated by the transfer of stock or root cuttings most likely in the turning over of soil to bury his sister a small bit of stem or root was mixed in, and thus had a chance to grow. I grow kava and drink it but have never once lost memory, it is known for relaxing the body and not the mind unlike other plants.

[mitragynine]

Come and Join The Kava Root Forum! hxxp://kavakava.first-forumdot­com

[dannykihoalu]

@22871987 The idea of history having to be "accurate" is relatively recent. Consider that the Samoan word for 'history' is tala—the word also means news, account, story and myth. These stories are not meant to be accurate accounts, they are mythologies that preserve history alongside with cultural values in a form that can be passed on through the generations (much like childrens' stories). And their value shouldn't be underestimated...you can tell a lot about a culture based on their stories.

[StrictlyTonganRoots]

kava originated from tonga the fijians came n drank with the king n dey took it

[weekendbuskin]

@modernwarfarenoob

Do your homework and buy from a reputable source. Preferably from Hawaii or any of the pacific islands. When a decent strain is prepared PROPERLY, the effects are wonderfully pleasant.

[multiyadayadayada]

HEMIA NOW

[22871987]

@arcadiafilm I think i will stick to the story that was told to us by my Fijian teacher in High School. It explains the origin, the use, why us, who came up with it, the idea, its use and so forth. You should try and visit the Fijian Learning Centre in USP or the Ministry of Information or Achives Fiji for great documents and history of Fiji & the Pacific.