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There are several native
stories regarding the origin of kava kava in Hawaii. The
most popular view describes 'awa as having been brought
over to Hawaii from Kahiki (the ancestral homelands of
various islands of lower and middle Polynesia) by the
Hawaiian gods Kane and Kanaloa. Kane was the ancestor of
the chiefs and commoners, forest, fresh water, sunlight
and verdant growth; and Kanaloa was the Hawaiian god of
the ocean, marine life, and healing. It is told that
they planted 'awa throughout the islands.
The fact that kava kava was the cherished and sacred
narcotic of the Hawaiian culture explains the nature of
its ceremonial uses. Through prayers and joyful
offerings of kava kava, the ancient people of Hawaii
sought to ensure the well being of the population.
Farmers offered kava kava to ensure the success of
future crops. Canoe makers would offer kava kava to the
Hawaiian gods of the forest when choosing a Koa log for
a canoe. Between men, it served as a ceremonial gift; it
was offered to the ancestral spirits on the domestic
altar; it was fed (hanai mano) to the shark patron by
fishermen, to ensure bountiful catches; it was offered
to the spirits by mediums (haka).
The cup of kavakava was gazed into and drunk by seers to
induce the desired passivity or trance. The kahuna
lapa’au (medicine priest) would pray and drink kava kava
sent to them by their patients to divine their illness
and 'awa would then become a necessary component for
their cure. Either the dried root or a cup of kava kava
brew was a necessary offering to a god in many rituals:
in the war rite, in consecrating a boy child, in the
ceremonial initiation of girls trained in the sacred
hula dancing and chanting, in prayer offered by the
Kahuna, in séances in which a Hawaiian god or Hawaiian
goddess spoke through a medium.
Traditional Medicinal
Uses of Kava Kava
In ancient Hawaiian times
it was been used by all classes of people, especially
fisherman, farmers, hunters and any whose strenuous work
left them stiff and sore with fatigue. The difference
between the kava kava drinking of ali'i and commoners
was one of manner and purpose of using the drink. The
ali'i drank for pleasure, the Kahuna class for
ceremonial and the working people for relaxation after
labor.
Medicinally Kavakava held the central role as an herbal
medicine in ancient times and was used by Hawaiians for
many maladies and illnesses that are still valid
remedies to these diseases in modern times. Research is
being conducted to broaden 'awa's healing base,
including treatment of cancer, improving night vision,
weight loss and symptons of Menopause.
Traditional uses included but not limited to addressing
the following ailments. Inflammation of the urogenital
system, chronic Cystitis, difficulties in urinating,
Female Puberty symptom, weakness, Menstrual problems
dysmenorrhea, Migraine related to women's sickness,
Headaches, General weakness, Chills, sleeping problems,
insomnia and general treatment of disease. To prevent
infections, Rheumatism, Weight gain, Irritation of the
respiratory tract & asthma Pulmonary pains, Palsy,
Tuberculosis, Skin disease, Certain skin diseases, to
cause desquamations; at the end of the cure, new healthy
skin is formed, To prevent suppuration.
References citied Handy, 1972, Native Planters of Old Hawaii.- Kamakau,S.M. 1976, The Works of the People of Old.- Malo, D 1951 Hawaiian Antiquities -Maly, Kepa 1998 'Awa Cultural-Historical Perspectives in Hawaii. |
