Kava

I raise the coconut husk to my lips and close my eyes. Swallow, just swallow. I will my body to obey me and the liquid goes down in three dirty gulps. I open my eyes, hand back the shell, clap three times, and try to look thankful as I say Vinaka . Another coconut is filled - a larger one as it is being given to a male - and distributed to a man across the circle from me who says Bula with a wary smile, claps once, and raised his glass. As I sit watching the back of my tongue and throat go numb.

We're drinking kava, a drink made from a pulverized root, which when mixed with water makes a soupy, muddy-colored liquid. The mixture is prepared in a wooden bowl with three legs and is drank to welcome visitors, in celebration of an important event, or just plain for fun. The participants sit around the bowl in a circle, with the chief opposite the server. The server, who prepares the kava, distributes coconut halves full to the participants in order of rank, beginning with the chief.

Thus far, I've participated in two kava ceremonies and in each have drank at least three cups of kava. I am now actively avoiding participation in any others.