Tea Ceremonies Around the World: Part II Samoan Culture

Written By Sophia Senyo

Read in French: HERE.

‘AVA CEREMONY – KAVA CEREMONY

“My Life and Tea” is exploring the different ceremonies that take place around the world and how these ceremonies transform ordinary moments into beautiful moments of pause and human connection. We started in Ethiopia and Eritrea with the Buna Tetu ceremony which you can read about HERE. Now, we are learning about the Ava Ceremony in the Samoan communities.

THE CEREMONY and THOUGHTFULNESS

The ‘Ava ceremony in Samoa culture symbolizes coming together with intention, respect, unity and announces to the participants/community that the occasion they have come together for is sacred and significant. See Ayomide Adekilekun and Farandawayadventures. This ceremony takes place whenever there are community and life milestones and important occasions (welcoming guests, weddings, birth, rites of passage, funerals, community gatherings, Chief title bestowals, village councils, formal gatherings, and major cultural events, etc.). See Farandawayadventures; see also Ayomide Adekilekun; see also Kuialuaopuna.

At the center of these ceremonies is the Kava plant in beverage form, specifically the root of this herb is made into a fine powder and then water is added and mixed and the beverage is served in a traditional vessel/cup/bowl. See Farandawayadventures.

The participants in the ceremony “sit in a circle, and the drink, prepared from the kava root, is served in a specific order, starting with the highest-ranking individual.” See Farandawayadventures. “The order in which participants receive the kava is determined by their social status, starting with the highest-ranking individual. This practice fosters a sense of unity and respect among participants, reinforcing the importance of social structure and hierarchy in Samoan society.” See Farandawayadventures. In Samoan culture, “harmony depends on acknowledging rank, role, and relationship[; and t]he ceremony reenacts the ideal of a balanced universe where order prevents conflict and mutual respect preserves peace.” See Ayomide Adekilekun.

INGREDIENTS

*Kava root

*Preparers and their tools/preparation materials and Servers and the serving vessels

*The people/the community

*Intentional tempo

*Orators, Chiefs, Elders

*Human Connection and the purpose of the gathering

*Closing Blessings

Integral to this ceremony is the Kava Root also known as Piper methysticum. The medicinal actions of this herb comprise of the following: “Sedative, nervous system & muscle relaxant, anticonvulsant, local anesthetic, analgesic, anti-fungal, anti-spasmodic, anti-depressant, stimulant, mild euphoric, antiseptic, anti-inflammatory, diaphoretic, rubefacient, bitter, carminative, diuretic”. See the Naturopathic Herbalist.

Kava is native to the Pacific Islands and integral in Samoan Culture. “Samoa is a group of islands in the South Pacific. Kava is called ‘ava’ in [] their culture, which varies from other islands in the Pacific Islands. Kava has immense importance in Samoan culture and is consumed at most celebrations.” See Roots of Happiness.

Integral to this ceremony are the preparers and servers. “During the ceremony, the ‘ava is prepared by a specially chosen individual, in a role called the ‘aumaga.” See Through the Lens of Anthropology. The ceremony also includes “the ‘tufuga’ (Kava preparers)” and the “tautua (attendants), whose duty is to prepare the drink and serve it according to custom.” See Farandawayadventures and see also Ayomide Adekilekun. The preparers harvest, dry and pound the kava root into a fine powder that is then mixed with water and strained, and ready to present/serve to the participants. See Farandawayadventures. As the kava is prepared, “silence or respectful murmurs often fill the space, for the [large bowl used to prepare and mix the beverage] represents the meeting point of the community and its ancestors.” See Ayomide Adekilekun.

Integral to this ceremony are the orators, “who guide[] the ceremony with formal speech, proclaiming genealogies, blessings, and the meaning of the gathering.” See Ayomide Adekilekun. “The orator chiefs deliver eloquent orations filled with metaphor, ancestral references, and ceremonial language. These speeches frame the event, grounding it in the lineage of the participants and the authority of the gods. They remind the gathering that identity in Samoa is rooted in genealogy and human connection. Because of this, ʻava ceremonies are not only ritual acts but cultural archives, the living vessels of history.” See Ayomide Adekilekun.

Integral to this ceremony is the acknowledgement and repeated statements of 'Ia Minuia' which means 'Be happy'. See Skyfall – Tom.

Integral to this ceremony is the intentional steady calm tempo and rhythm of the process. See Ayomide Adekilekun. This is not a time to rush and get everything done as quickly as possible so you can serve your guests. This is a process where each step and each action is sacred and deliberate, and everyone’s role and presence is significant. “The power of this ritual comes from its great care and attention to detail[; e]very move made is very deliberate.” See JANM Blog.

Lastly, the ceremony ends with “ritual blessings for harmony, safe travel, peace, [and/]or the welfare of the community.” See Ayomide Adekilekun.

WHAT IS LOVING ABOUT THIS:

The ‘Ava ceremony has a strong lineage in Samoan culture and the fact it is still practiced/honored today is nourishing to cultural identity and community cohesiveness.

The presentation of the beverage to the participants based on order is a beautiful acknowledgement that older members of our society and community are valuable and still contribute to the community.

Also the seriousness of etiquette and respect that is observed during this ceremony is a beautiful acknowledgement that coming together in community for a shared purpose is a sacred moment that should be respected.

Similar to the nature/actual qualities/effects of the Kava root, the “ceremony is a time for relaxation [and] reflection.” See Farandawayadventures. “Because ʻava is associated with clarity, calmness, and steadiness, it [is] linked to good leadership.” See Ayomide Adekilekun. “The compounds within kava allow participants to feel calm and relaxed while also having a clear mind.” See Roots of Happiness.

This ceremony is truly soul nourishing and perhaps rejuvenates the soul every time when done in the right company. Have you ever tried Kava root? Have you participated in an Ava ceremony before? Comment below.

Sources:

Sophia Senyo
Previous

Les cérémonies du thé dans le monde: Culture Samoane
Next

Tea Ceremonies Around the World: Part I Ethiopia and Eritrea