Kava in Fiji斐济的卡瓦

石斯琳

Does the title confuse you？ If it does， its probably because of the word “kava”. Fijian people are known to be some of the happiest on the planet and somehow people think that the kava may have something to do with that. As a visitor to Fiji， you will most likely be invited to try it yourself during a kava-drinking ceremony1 in your holiday place or during a visit to a local village.

Kava is actually a narcotic2 drink made from mixing the powdered root of the pepper plant with water. It is an indigenous3 plant that has been long used by Pacific Island cultures for its pleasant relaxation effect. In the past it was only used by Fijian chiefs， but is now enjoyed by everyone.

The ceremony of drinking kava is a special custom of Fiji. It occurs on both important and social occasions4， including when accepting guests or visitors into a village. This is how the cere-mony works： The leader strains the liquid and fills a small cup to be presented and drunk in one shot by the chief guest. The guest must clap once before and after drinking the kava. The order of serving then continues from the most important guest down the ranks in order of status. Kava tastes like sediment5 and a little bitter！ Once you drink Kava， you will probably feel tingling6 and numbness7 in your tongue. However， you can have a good night sleep and you will wake up feeling well rested and energized.

It is a big celebration after the Kava ceremony with dancing and music. Its a wonderful way to interact8 with the local villagers. Dont be shy. Join in the dancing. After the Kava ceremony， the visitors are free and welcome to enter and explore the village as they please.

你看到题目时是否有疑惑？如果有，那可能是因为“kava”这个单词吧。斐济人被公认为是地球上最快乐的人，有人认为这跟卡瓦仪式有一定关系。去斐济旅行的话，在你度假的地方或者去当地的村庄观光时，你很可能会被盛情邀请去亲身体验一下卡瓦仪式。

卡瓦是一种麻醉饮品，是由当地的胡椒树树根粉与水混合而成的。这种本地植物在太平洋岛屿上为人所用由来已久，以其放松身心的药效出名。过去这种植物只有斐济的部落酋长能享用，但现在已经人人都能享用。

喝卡瓦的仪式是斐济的特殊习俗，只有在重要的社交场合才会举办，比如在村庄欢迎远来的贵宾或者游客时。卡瓦仪式是这样进行的：村落首领用力挤出汁液，将汁液装入小杯中给主客一次喝完，在一饮而尽之前和之后必须各击掌一次。饮用仪式将从最重要的客人开始，按照客人身份地位由高到低进行下去。卡瓦的口感像沉淀物，味微苦。刚一入口会觉得舌头麻麻的。但喝多了你就会沉沉睡去，醒来之后会感觉休息充分，精神满满。

随着卡瓦仪式结束，接下来的是大型庆祝活动，人们载歌载舞。这是一个与当地村民互动交流的绝佳机会。不要害羞，大胆地加入舞蹈行列中吧。卡瓦儀式结束之后，游客们就可以自由进入并探索斐济的村落。endprint