Kava bowls have been used for centuries to ease stress and bring about clarity. This ancient practice of consuming an herbal drink has its roots in the islands of Micronesia, yet continues to be enjoyed today by people from all walks of life who seek a mild, natural form of relaxation. In this blog post, we’ll break down the different types and uses of kava bowls so that you can decide whether they could be beneficial to your own mental health and well-being!
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What Is a Kava Bowl, and How Does It Look?
Even though there are now many ways to drink kava, the experience is still about sharing and getting along with others. In the Pacific Islands, many people who drink kava like to make their drinks in a kava bowl, which is also called a tanoas. This helps keep the cultural traditions of drinking kava alive (ta-no-uh).
The traditional way to serve and drink kava is from a wooden bowl called a "kava bowl." In Fiji and Samoa, where Pacific Islanders live, kava bowls are often called tanoas. In different parts of the world, they are called different things. A kava bowl is called a "kumete" in Tonga and a "kanoa" in Hawaii. Kava bowls are usually round or elliptical, and their designs can be very ornate or very simple. Most have three legs or more, are shallow, and are made of wood or clay. Kava bowls are beautiful because they are almost always made by hand. Each bowl is one of a kind and was made with a lot of love and care. None of the kava bowls are the same.
In the Pacific Islands, kava bowls were used in religious, cultural, and community rituals in the past and still are today. On islands like Fiji and Vanuatu, you can even take part in a traditional kava ceremony. Kava can be drunk straight from the bowl or from coconut cups called bilos that are dipped into the bowls and passed around to share. During a ceremony, there are very specific rules about how to drink kava. For example, you might say a certain chant before drinking the kava, or the leaders of the village might drink first before the rest of the villagers. In many cultures, being the first person to drink kava is a sign of great respect.
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Kava Bowl Types
In the Pacific Islands, each country has its own version of a kava bowl. Even if the name and look of kava bowls change, the meaning behind them stays the same. Kava bowls have been a big part of Pacific Islanders' art and culture for a long time, and they still are. They are used in religious ceremonies and to bring people together.
Fijian Kava Bowl
Stone or clay were used to make the first kava bowls in Fiji. Most of the time, Fijian kava bowls are made from hardwoods like Fijian Kauri wood. Typically, these tanoas have five to six legs and are embellished with coconut husk cords and shells. We sometimes sell kava bowls from different islands in the Pacific in our online store. You can buy these kava bowls directly from islanders, so you know you're helping the people who live there.
Samoan Kava Bowl
Samoan kava bowls always have a lot of legs, which is how you can tell they are from Samoa. A Samoan kava bowl often has ten or more legs and is made in a complicated way. Samoan kava bowls come in both round and oval shapes. Traditional carvings that have been blackened to make them stand out from the wood are often used to decorate Samoan tanoas.
Tongan Kava Bowl
Tongan kava bowls are made from a hard wood called fehi and have a circular or lenticular shape, just like other kava bowls. Tongan men have used and still use Tongan tanoas in kava ceremonies to get to know each other and talk about social, political, and cultural issues.
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Where to Find Kava Bowls
Kava bowls are an essential item for kava enthusiasts looking to brew a potent kava tea. Kava bowls are traditionally found in the kitchens and chowder houses of the South Pacific islands, where kava is natively harvested and brewed. However, kava bowls can also be acquired from specialty stores that offer cultural imports from Southeast Asia, many of which have kava bowls for sale. Of course, kava bowls may also be available online from reputable retailers, so if you’re looking for kava bowls but can’t find them locally, don’t hesitate to search online for a supplier.
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Understanding the Types and Uses of Kava Bowls
Kava bowls have a rich history filled with many types and uses. They each offer unique advantages over one another and are perfectly suited for specific situations and uses. The most important thing to do before choosing a Kava Bowl or using kava is to understand what type of kava you are using, how much and why. Make sure you read up on the different ways to use your chosen type of kava so that you can enjoy it in the most beneficial way possible. And finally, if you want an easy and convenient way to get a natural boost of energy, try Shot of Joy's Kratom & Kava Shot. It combines this ancient plant medicine with modern convenience for maximum effectiveness!
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