Kava in Fiji斐濟的卡瓦

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.

你看到題目時是否有疑惑？如果有，那可能是因為“kava”這個單詞吧。斐濟人被公認為是地球上最快樂的人，有人認為這跟卡瓦儀式有一定關系。去斐濟旅行的話，在你度假的地方或者去當地的村莊觀光時，你很可能會被盛情邀請去親身體驗一下卡瓦儀式。

卡瓦是一種麻醉飲品，是由當地的胡椒樹樹根粉與水混合而成的。這種本地植物在太平洋島嶼上為人所用由來已久，以其放松身心的藥效出名。過去這種植物只有斐濟的部落酋長能享用，但現在已經人人都能享用。

喝卡瓦的儀式是斐濟的特殊習俗，只有在重要的社交場合才會舉辦，比如在村莊歡迎遠來的貴賓或者游客時。卡瓦儀式是這樣進行的：村落首領用力擠出汁液，將汁液裝入小杯中給主客一次喝完，在一飲而盡之前和之后必須各擊掌一次。飲用儀式將從最重要的客人開始，按照客人身份地位由高到低進行下去。卡瓦的口感像沉淀物，味微苦。剛一入口會覺得舌頭麻麻的。但喝多了你就會沉沉睡去，醒來之后會感覺休息充分，精神滿滿。

隨著卡瓦儀式結束，接下來的是大型慶祝活動，人們載歌載舞。這是一個與當地村民互動交流的絕佳機會。不要害羞，大膽地加入舞蹈行列中吧。卡瓦儀式結束之后，游客們就可以自由進入并探索斐濟的村落。endprint