Bula Kava House News

Judd Rench
A Brief History Of Kava

A Brief History Of Kava

Around 40,000 years ago, humans started living in the areas now known as New Guinea and Australia. As time progressed, these early explorers increased their range to the southern Pacific islands. Most historians generally agree that kava, made from the Piper methysticum plant, was first grown on the islands of Vanuatu starting around 3,000 years ago; though, some have argued that its use began in Fiji or New Guinea. After its initial planting and use, the popularity and influence continued on to the east – helped along by the islanders and their sailing canoes. It then appeared in Polynesia, Fiji,...

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Judd Rench
Bula Celebrates Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

Bula Celebrates Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

May is Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, a celebration of the rich cultural traditions and heritages of Asian and Pacific island nations in the U.S. While Asian-Pacific seems like a fairly expansive term, it signifies the entire Asian continent and the Pacific island nations of Vanuatu, Fiji, New Guinea, New Caledonia, the Solomon Islands and a host of other nations located in Micronesia and Polynesia. As with most commemorative months, Asian-Pacific Heritage Month originated as the result of a congressional bill. In June 1977, U.S. Representatives Norman Mineta of California and Frank Horton of New York introduced legislation into the House...

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Judd Rench
Remembering Roi Mata, the Last Great Chief of Vanuatu

Remembering Roi Mata, the Last Great Chief of Vanuatu

As part of Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month, we’re turning the Bula blog back in time to celebrate one of the founding fathers of Vanuatu culture, Roi Mata. History records Roi Mata as a powerful Melanesian chief during the 13th century from an island that is now part of Vanuatu. While Roi Mata’s reign was believed one of peace and harmony, the life of the last great chief of Vanuatu met with a vicious end marked by betrayal. However, the final resting place for Chief Mata remains one of Vanuatu’s lasting cultural treasures, and has left an indelible mark on the...

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Judd Rench
A Leap for the Ages: The Cultural Tradition of Land Diving in Vanuatu

A Leap for the Ages: The Cultural Tradition of Land Diving in Vanuatu

Hundreds of years ago on the tiny South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, legend has it that a young woman began arguing with her husband, Tamalie. When the argument turned heated, the woman ran from Tamalie, seeking safety in the lush jungle that surrounded the village. Seeing that her husband had followed in pursuit, the young woman frantically climbed to the top of the tallest tree she could find. But even that could not stop Tamalie from following, as he began making his way to the top of the tree, leaping from branch to branch. Left with no other option,...

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