Torch Lighting

  As the sunset, we watched the torch lighting ceremony. To see the ritual and learn a bit more about Fiji was great. Papa got picked out of the crowd to be the Chief. He lit the 1st torch and then was front and center for the Kava ceremony. Kava comes from the root of the yaqona bush, a relative of the pepper plant. The root is ground up and then strained with water into a large wooden communal bowl. The face he made after he finished his cup of Kava was enough to let me know I didn't want to try it. He said it made his mouth numb. The Kava looked like muddy water. I would later learn it tastes like dirty water with a dash of wood. Sounds tempting I know.

You have to clap your hands and say Bula before take the cup of Kava.