PHOTOESSAY: Visual peregrinations in the realm of kava

Abstract

Photoessay: The author has been documenting the use of kava in different parts of the Pacific for several years, particularly in Tonga and in Auckland where its use is popular among members of communities that consume kava as part of their cultural tradition, and more recently a growing non-traditional user group. In this article, he reflects on his project to document the use of kava through photographs, the evolution of its use in traditional and non-traditional settings and discusses the most recent scientific studies of the drink.