CEREMONY OF KAVA DRINKING 235 



full of water, a bunch of fibres, made from the 

 inner bark of the hibiscus, was handed to the girl, 

 who, after vigorously stirring the liquid, scooped 

 out a mass of sodden kava root and handed the 

 fibres to an attendant, who carried them outside. 

 This proceeding having been repeated several 

 times, the kava was declared, amidst a clapping 

 of hands, to be ready. The towpow thereupon 

 dipped a large coconut shell, holding about a pint, 

 into the bowl and carried it first to the most im- 

 portant guest, and then to all the others in turn. 

 The cup is delivered with a most graceful down- 

 ward and then upward swing of the arm, and the 

 guest, still sitting cross-legged, takes the cup and 

 calling loudly " Manuia," drains it at a draught. 

 No sipping is allowed, and to anyone not accustomed 

 to kava the experience is by no means pleasant. 

 Kava looks like soapy water, and the taste of it 

 well, anyone desirous of ascertaining what it 

 tastes like can make a very good imitation by 

 mixing a dessert-spoonful of " Gregory " powder 

 in a tumbler of water. Having drained the 

 contents, one passes the coconut shell back to 

 the donor. This may be done in two ways. An 

 experienced drinker throws the shell in such a 

 manner that it spins round in the air and falls 

 " dead " at the foot of the bowl. A less ex- 

 peiienced guest had better hand it back with a 

 bow as the easiest way out of a difficulty, for it 

 is considered the height of bad manners if the cup 



