Meanings of Piper methysticum: Myths of origin

Two types: internal and external origin stories. Internal stories usually have the plant growing out of a human corpse, often a female, often from reproductive areas. Kava as a symbol of rebirth, regeneration, fertility.

Internal

Pentecost, Vanuatu	Tonga
Orphan twin brother and sister on Maewo Brother loved sister Stranger came and asked to marry her, she refused. Stranger shot her with arrow, she died. Brother buried her in despair. One week later, before weeds could appear, a plant appeared. A year later the brother still mourned at her grave. Saw rat eat at plant's roots and die. Brother though he too might eat the plant and die. He ate large amounts of the roots, but instead of dying he forgot all of his unhappiness.	King went fishing with friend No fish were caught Tired and hungry, called on Eueiki to get food One couple plus daughter lived there. Daughter, Kava'onau had leprosy. Time of famine. No food. One large kape (taro) plant, but King was resting on it. Friend saw couple hit something in house and bring it out to the uhm. Told King couple had killed daughter to feed King. King was deeply moved by sacrifice, ordered proper burial Two plants grew, one from the head and the other from the foot Rat bit first plant, staggered to second, bit it and recovered Lo'au came and saw the plants, heard story, told them to take plants to King and serve him The first plant (sakau) would be used to make a drink, the second would be eaten with the drink (sugar cane)

Pentecost, Vanuatu

Tonga

Orphan twin brother and sister on Maewo
Brother loved sister
Stranger came and asked to marry her, she refused.
Stranger shot her with arrow, she died.
Brother buried her in despair.
One week later, before weeds could appear, a plant appeared.
A year later the brother still mourned at her grave.
Saw rat eat at plant's roots and die. Brother though he too might eat the plant and die.
He ate large amounts of the roots, but instead of dying he forgot all of his unhappiness.

King went fishing with friend
No fish were caught
Tired and hungry, called on Eueiki to get food
One couple plus daughter lived there. Daughter, Kava'onau had leprosy.
Time of famine. No food. One large kape (taro) plant, but King was resting on it.
Friend saw couple hit something in house and bring it out to the uhm.
Told King couple had killed daughter to feed King.
King was deeply moved by sacrifice, ordered proper burial
Two plants grew, one from the head and the other from the foot
Rat bit first plant, staggered to second, bit it and recovered
Lo'au came and saw the plants, heard story, told them to take plants to King and serve him
The first plant (sakau) would be used to make a drink, the second would be eaten with the drink (sugar cane)

External: Tanna, Vanuatu

Mwatiktiki brought a kava plant to Tanna and hid it in a hole amongst the rocks by the shore
Two women had gathered wild yams and went to the shore to scrape off the peel
The women squatted down and began to scrape their yams
A kava shoot rose up inbetween the legs of one of the women
She felt something good, something sweet, and asked her sister, "What is poking me?"
They pulled the plant out and carried it to their garden in Isouragi
Grew it in secret until mature
Later they pulled it up, pounded it up, and served it to their men saying, "Drink this and you will feel something different"
From then on the men drank the kava

Sakau and death

The germinant corpse - from the dead body grows a new form of life. The unconciousness of sakau, a small death. Connected to death through funeral tributes. Sakau as a way to forget the pain and loss associated with losing loved ones.

Kava and Reproduction

Kava is often interconnected with sexual references, often to women but usually consumed by men. Origin legends often infer a connection to sensuality. The plant is mythically feminine in many cultures. Also symbolic of fertile fluids. Used as a medicine to stimulate the production of breast milk, a nurturing fluid that brings life to babies.

Kava, social uses, and sociability

Around which to talk, to discuss. On Pohnpei, a leveler and equalizer. All can listen around the stone. Often used to make peace, hold negotiations, dull the thirst for war. Socially beneficial when used in these traditional ways. Marriages asked for, etc. Tribute thanks for titles. Solution to alcohol abuse in modern times.