King Charles Becomes Samoan "High Chief" After Sipping Kava Ceremony

Photo : AFP

King Charles III participated in a traditional kava-drinking ceremony in Samoa, where he was honored with the title of "high chief" of the former British colony. This ceremony took place as part of his 11-day tour of Australia and Samoa, marking his first major international trip since his cancer diagnosis earlier this year.

Dressed in a white safari-style suit, the 75-year-old monarch sat at the head of a beautifully carved timber longhouse. During the ceremony, he was presented with a polished half-coconut filled with kava, a narcotic drink made from the roots of a peppery plant. This drink, known locally as "ava," is deeply rooted in Pacific culture. The preparation involved parading the kava roots around the marquee, where they were skillfully prepared by the chief's daughter and filtered through a sieve made of dried bark.

The moment was marked with excitement as a Samoan man announced the readiness of the drink before presenting it to the king. In a ceremonial gesture, Charles expressed his blessing, saying, "May God Bless this ava," before taking a sip.

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Queen Camilla, seated beside him, fanned herself to cope with the tropical humidity. The visit has generated enthusiasm among the local Samoan population, as this is Charles's first visit to the Pacific island nation. The royal couple later visited the village of Moata'a, where Charles was bestowed the title of "Tui Taumeasina," meaning high chief.

Local chief Lenatai Victor Tamapua expressed the community's eagerness to welcome the king, highlighting the honor of receiving him in their village. He raised concerns about climate change, taking the royal couple on a tour of local mangroves, which are vital to the community’s livelihood. Tamapua informed the king about the significant impacts of rising tides, which have eroded the reef and threatened food sources over the past two decades.

King Charles's visit coincides with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, where he is expected to address a leaders' banquet. This meeting is particularly significant given the historical context of colonialism and its lasting impacts on member nations. Commonwealth leaders are set to choose a new secretary-general, nominated from an African country, in alignment with regional rotations.

The topic of reparations for slavery and colonialism has been at the forefront of discussions, with candidates advocating for various forms of restitution, including climate financing. Joshua Setipa from Lesotho emphasized the need to address historical injustices in the context of current global issues.

Climate change is a major focus of the meeting, with Pacific nations, including Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Fiji, advocating for a "fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty." This call to action targets Australia, Britain, and Canada, urging them to take more significant measures to reduce emissions, given their historical contributions to global pollution.

Ralph Regenvanu, Vanuatu's special envoy for climate change, called on other nations to join the treaty, emphasizing the shared responsibility of Commonwealth nations to protect the vulnerable Pacific region from the effects of climate change. Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong acknowledged her country’s commitment to improving environmental practices, while recognizing the ongoing challenges ahead.

As the meeting unfolds, the stark reality faced by Pacific island nations, which are increasingly threatened by climate change, remains a pressing concern for the global community.