tonga’s contribution to the olympics! - pacific...

Tonga’s contribution to the Olympics!

PMA Conference 24 - 26 August, 2016 The Pathway to Leadership is Service

KAVA – Cure or Killer?Social and Cultural Value of Kava

to Tonga

Hon Dr Saia Piukala

Minister for Health

Tonga


Outline

• Background – The legend of the origin of the kava

• Part 1 – When use is as was intended

• Part 2 – When use is NOT as was intended

• Part 3 – Conclusion


Background – The legend of the origin of the kava

• In order to understand the context of kava in the Tongan culture, it is important to be aware of the background and legend of the Story of Kava

• A moving story of the sacrifice by a couple of their leper daughter to fulfil their duties to their King


Part 1 – When use is as was intended


The Tongan Culture and Kava

• Importance for Culture - generally kava is the means of formal cultural recognition for a significant agreement / activity / accomplishment

– Taumafa kava (Royal Kava Ceremony)

– Fua kava (‘First kava’ – covenant/testament)


Royal Kava Ceremony (His Majesty King Tupou VI Coronation)


Weddings


Kava, Social Structure and Impacts

• Kava plays an important role is maintaining the social structure

• Provides a forum for dialogue to discuss issues

• Brings people together

• Often seen as a substitute for alcohol


Kava and Social Structure and Impacts

• Kava plays a role in fund raising for community projects

• Kava and kava clubs also play a significant role in providing the ‘Social Welfare System’ and in providing support for the underprivileged


Provides Employment and IncomeKava Exports (Quantity and Value 2009 – 2014)

0

20,000

40,000

60,000

80,000

100,000

120,000

140,000

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Quantity (kg)

Quantity (kg)

811,002 851,381986,708

2,021,143

1,319,318

2,361,990

0

500,000

1,000,000

1,500,000

2,000,000

2,500,000

2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014

Value (TOP)

Value (TOP)


Part 2 – When use is NOT as was intended


Kava abuse is an issue

• Men spent too much time drinking kava at night and are not able to do much during the day– ‘man with the cup (of

kava) at night and man with the pillow during the day’

– Often domestic issues can occur


Kava abuse is an issue

• Young people taking up kava drinking too early

– Subsequently miss school

• Negative health impacts for chronic heavy kava drinkers

– Some evidence of impaired liver functions


Second hand smoke and kava drinking

• Smoking and kava drinking is a significant health risk in many countries – particularly second hand smokers

– Tonga has passed legislation to make it illegal to smoke in kava clubs and church halls


Conclusion

• Please use kava as it was intended to be used

– If you do so, kava will more likely be a cure

– If you don’t it could become a killer!


tonga’s contribution to the olympics! - pacific...

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