In this episode, we explore the world of Ava through a printed text of Samoan solo and the experience of library specialists Nia Vavao and Pamata Toleafoa.

We visit Anau and Todd at the Four Shells Kava Lounge and learn how Kava is integral to life across Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa and valued and enjoyed here in Tāmaki Makaurau.

See a list of references for this episode below or get in touch with us by emailing [email protected] and we’ll make sure you can find the collection items of your interest.

This podcast series is made with Auckland Libraries Content Creation funding and is part of a wider series of short films Ngako: The Collections Talk, available to view via aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/Ngako

This episode was written and produced by Sue Berman, was recorded and produced by Benjamin Brooking and edited and engineered by Juliana Machado.

This has been Ngako: The Collections Podcast - Ava, Kava, Kawa

Subscribe to check out the next episode!

REFERENCES

George Pratt. Some folk songs and myths from Samoa: six solos about the kava (plant and drink). Sydney, 1890.

https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/search/card?id=5da08344-49d4-593d-8321-e6b1f0ed06ce&entityType=FormatGroup

Augustin Kramer. The Samoa Islands: an outline of a monograph with particular consideration of German Samoa. Volume 1 & 2. Auckland: Polynesian Press, 1994/1995.

https://discover.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/search/card?id=def09ab7-6fb0-5235-a7ae-79b355f3a22d&entityType=FormatGroup

Bernard Gadd. Kava ceremony, Hillary College, Ōtara. 1973. Auckland Libraries Heritage Collections, Footprints 00037.

https://kura.aucklandlibraries.govt.nz/digital/collection/photos/id/43386/rec/1

Four Shells Kava Lounge https://fourshellskava.co.nz/

Image credit: Nia Vavao and Pamata Toleafoa, 2022, Benjamin Brooking for Ngako: The Collection Podcast.