Aporosa, S. ‘Apo’. (2017). Kava (Piper methysticum): Demythifying the Pacific’s cultural keystone species. Presented at the Tālanga Seminar Series, University of the South Pacific, Tonga, 12 Oct.
Abstract
Kava, in both its plant and drink form, is Pasifika’s ‘cultural keystone species’ and a potent icon of identity with some of its medicinal efficacy legitimised within Western pharmacology and research. However, for every positive concerning kava there appears to be a counterpoint: kava is being ‘abused’; kava causes liver damage; kava encourages men to stay away from home for lengthy periods negatively impacting the family; kava turns it’s drinkers into Zombies incapable of functioning the next day, etc. This presentation will address these claims while also seeking reasons as to what motivates kava criticism.
