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Kōrero: Fijians

A kava ceremony

Image
A kava ceremony

When a photographic exhibition entitled ‘Heart of Fiji’ was held in 1993 at The National Library of New Zealand, this kava ceremony was part of the opening celebrations. The ritual drinking of kava often takes place on significant occasions, and is accompanied by hand-clapping and traditional chants.

Te whakamahi i tēnei tūemi

National Library of New Zealand

Reference: Kava Ceremony at the exhibition opening of 'Heart of Fiji: Photographs by Arthur Hocart 1909–1914', 20 March 1993.

by Lorraine Tarrant

Permission of the National Library of New Zealand, Te Puna Mātauranga o Aotearoa, must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Ngā whakaahua me ngā rauemi katoa o tēnei kōrero

Me pēnei te tohu i te whārang

Jacqueline Leckie, Fijians – Fijian culture in New Zealand, Te Ara – the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, https://teara.govt.nz/mi/photograph/837/a-kava-ceremony (accessed 4 June 2026).

He kōrero nā Jacqueline Leckie, i tāngia i te 4 March 2009, updated 1 July 2024.