Kava and Ethno-cultural Identity in Oceania

Aporosa, S.

doi:10.1007/978-981-13-0242-8_134-1

Cited by 5 publications

(10 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…'Talanoa lasa' means sharing a joke or talking about something meaningless. People look forward to talanoa engagement in Fiji, particularly over the kava bowl (Aporosa, 2019). Some key values associated with the practice of talanoa engagement are respect and trust.…”

Section: Talanoamentioning

confidence: 99%

Weaving CLES-FS and talanoa to capture Fijian student's science learnings: Exploring possibilities

Chand

Sahrma²,

Taylor³

2021

WJE

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This study seeks to explain how a modified Constructivist Learning Environment Survey (CLES) was implemented together with talanoa to explore Fijian students' perceptions of a constructivist learning environment in the science classroom in New Zealand secondary schools. The modified CLES, called CLES-FS, was developed explicitly for Fijian students in the New Zealand secondary schooling context. The adapted CLES-FS instrument included five components of constructivist learning: relationship and identity, familiar context, talanoa, critical voice and shared control. The inclusion of talanoa within the CLES-survey tool has not been done before to collect data from iTaukei (Indigenous) and Fijian-Indian students. The implication of using talanoa alongside CLES-FS has provided the unfolding of possibilities when weaving together qualitative as well as quantitative data. As an emerging Pacific researcher, the exploration exercise is essential learning that helps make sense of what it means to engage in research, particularly within the post-Covid context.

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Section: Talanoamentioning

confidence: 99%

Weaving CLES-FS and talanoa to capture Fijian student's science learnings: Exploring possibilities

Chand

Sahrma²,

Taylor³

2021

WJE

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“…Pacific people have been mixing the crushed roots of the kava plant (Piper methysticum) with water for over 2000 years to make a drink with great ceremonial, social, and medicinal significance. 1 In kava use sessions, drinkers from Fiji and Tonga commonly each consume 3.6L (0.95 US gallons) of kava beverage over six hours. 2 With kava use increasing among non-Pacific users who are also reflecting similar use patterns to Fijians and Tongans, particularly in Aotearoa New Zealand, Australia, the USA and selected areas of Europe, 3 this volume (3.6L) and time duration provides a 'standard' that has been used in several naturalistic kava use studies.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…2,4,5 Naturalistic, or traditionally influenced, kava use typically involves users who sit cross-legged on woven mats, serve kava from a centrally located kumete (wooden kava bowl) in bilo or ipu (cups made half coconut shells) and observe Pacific respect-based values that underpin kava use protocol (as represented in Figure 1). 1 Although regularly consumed at high volumes over many hours, kava is not associated with health risks, addiction or adverse side effects, which is the reason why it is regulated in Aotearoa New Zealand as a 'food' under the Food Standards Code. 6,8,9 Fig.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Traditional kava use and body sway: A pilot investigation

2022

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Introduction The (traditionally influenced) consumption of kava (Piper methysticum) has been associated with increased body sway, raising concerns about fall risk. However, studies typically utilise pill-styled kava extracts with a lack of understanding regarding experienced naturalistic kava drinkers. This pilot study investigated the effects of naturalistic kava consumption over a six-hour period on postural control. Methods Six experienced male kava drinkers consumed 100ml of kava every 10 minutes over six hours in a culturally responsive setting. Postural control was examined at three time points (Pre, Mid, and Post) using a 30-seconds eyes-closed feet-together postural balance test conducted on a 3D force plate. Centre of pressure path length, average velocity, and area of the 95th percentile ellipse data were extracted and compared between time points using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA. Findings There were no significant differences in the centre of pressure parameters. Based on the Pre and Post differences for path length and average velocity logged values, this study would require 19 participants to achieve an 80% power and 5% significance level. Discussion Irrespective of limited sample size, our preliminary results do not support that kava consumption negatively affects postural control, findings that appear to be corroborated by a recent neuroscience study. The perceived risks of naturalistic kava consumption with regards to falls may be overstated. Further study on the physiological implications of kava consumption in naturalistic settings is needed to quantify the actual risks. Highlights• Kava is a culturally significant drink for Pacific people• Anecdotal reports describe impaired balance following high traditional use volumes• Postural control was tested during and following kava use in a pilot study• Contrary to hypothesis, results do not show that kava negatively affects postural control

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“…Kava is a traditional drink made by steeping the ground roots and/or rhizome of the Piper methysticum plant in water. Both the plant and drink have great cultural significance to many Pacific people, being consumed at almost every major event from birth to death (Aporosa, 2019b). Kava is found in Eastern Pacific Oceania (Polynesia), where it is mixed to a lesser strength than in Vanuatu and areas of Western Pacific Oceania (Aporosa, 2019b).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Both the plant and drink have great cultural significance to many Pacific people, being consumed at almost every major event from birth to death (Aporosa, 2019b). Kava is found in Eastern Pacific Oceania (Polynesia), where it is mixed to a lesser strength than in Vanuatu and areas of Western Pacific Oceania (Aporosa, 2019b). Frequently, kava is used to facilitate talanoa, or culturally influenced spaces of transparent, participatory, and inclusive dialogue (Aporosa, 2014a), where sitting cross-legged on woven mats on the floor, kava is served to drinkers from a centrally located kumete (wooden kava bowl; see Figure 1).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Kava drinking in traditional settings: Towards understanding effects on cognitive function

Aporosa

Atkins

Brunton

2020

Human Psychopharmacology

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Background Kava drinking is a tradition among Pacific Island people, although growing in popularity with other ethnicities. However, drinking substantial quantities of kava has raised concerns regarding physical manifestations of slow response and lack of precision in bodily control. These impairments can have significant consequences when after consuming large volumes of kava an individual makes a choice to drive. Aims The objective of this study was to measure selected cognitive functions following high traditionally consumed kava volumes (greater than 2,000 mg of kavalactones) aimed at identifying potential risks for kava drink‐drivers. Methods The reaction and divided attention of 20 control participants was assessed against 20 active kava‐drinking participants during and following a 6‐hr kava session in a “naturalised” setting. Assessment measures were drawn from Vienna Test System—Traffic's test battery. Results/Outcomes Results showed no statistical significant difference between control and active participants at any measurement point over a 6‐hr testing period regardless that the movements and speech of the active participants were observed to slow as the test session and kava consumption progressed. Conclusion Inconsistencies between test results and observations during testing and by road policing officers demonstrate an urgent need for more research in this field.

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Kava and Ethno-cultural Identity in Oceania

Cited by 5 publications

References 14 publications

Weaving CLES-FS and talanoa to capture Fijian student's science learnings: Exploring possibilities

Weaving CLES-FS and talanoa to capture Fijian student's science learnings: Exploring possibilities

Traditional kava use and body sway: A pilot investigation

Kava drinking in traditional settings: Towards understanding effects on cognitive function

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