The use of sakau as demonstrated here, is uniquely Pohnpeian and done no where else in the world . Sakau (kava), is a mild narcotic and has many uses in ceremony from marriages to deaths.

The root of sakau is crushed with stones in rhythmic pounding and then the juice of the roots, which water is added, is squeezed out by using the inner bark of the hibiscus, which also imparts polysaccharides, which lengthen the effect of sakau on the body and some express, it aids in drinking the mixture.

This gathering, party, was Friday evening, Sept. 24th, after the 3 days of the presidential retreat for the College of Micronesia.

All images shot with a Canon 5DII, 35L (35mm 1.4 lens), ISO 6400.