King Charles follows in late Queen’s footsteps sipping traditional Samoan drink while dressed to match ‘island vibe’
The King and Queen were officially welcomed to Samoa with a royal ‘ava ceremony’ in the home village of Samoa’s head of state.
Heavily-tattooed village ‘strongmen’ wore the traditional ‘ai lavalava’ skirts and necklaces while local village chiefs dressed in brightly coloured short sleeve shirts.
The King wore a white bush jacket with embroidery by Samoan School of Fine Art.
Queen used a fan with her royal cypher at one of the biggest ava ceremonies held in Samoa in decades.
It comes after Charles and Camilla and other world leaders attending Friday’s were told by Samoa’s PM to dress down accept the ‘island vibe’.
Charles and Camilla sat on the stage with head of state Tuimaleali’ifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II for the ava ceremony in his home village of Falelatai.
The ‘ava ceremony – reserved only for monarchs – saw them wear ceremonial garlands and drink an Ava drink from a coconut shell.
It was originally planned to be held in the open but due to the torrential downpours earlier that morning it was moved inside.
Wearing a Bush jacket with trim by Samoan school of fine art, the King looked cool in the humid heat.
The Queen, in a tunic and Palazzo trousers by Anna Valentine accessorised with gold fish earrings, kept herself cool by using a handheld fan with her cypher on.
Men, known locally as taulele’a, from Falelatai village commenced the ceremony by blowing conch shells to signal Their Majesties’ arrival and formed a ceremonial guard of honour.
Two men in traditional dress acted as ceremonial attendants, and one opened the proceedings welcoming the King and Queen.
One of them said: “The royal and traditional ‘Ava ceremony, the highest protocol of respect in the Samoan culture in honour of Your Majesties’ state visit to Samoa.
“A symbol of friendship, safe passage and journey and the collective spirit of commonwealth as one family.
“Thank you and God bless.”
The late Queen Elizabeth ll was also pictured drinking ‘ava during her Silver Jubilee Tour of the South Pacific in 1977.
Large ‘ava roots were symbolically presented to the centre marquee.
For centuries, ‘ava – known in other Pacific countries as kava – has played a vital role in the rituals and celebrations of Pacific islanders.
It is not just a beverage, but a symbol of community unity and connection.
The youngest daughter of the Chief, Maria Leinafo Tuimalealiifano, 30, prepared the ‘ava drink, which is made from dried and powdered ‘ava root.
She has tattoos running from her thighs to her knees, which is considered a symbol of seniority.
Maria prepared the drink in a shallow bowl known as a tanoa, which is made from the wood of the ifilele tree, and carefully pounded the root into a fine powder before being mixed with water.
Four attendants – known as ‘ava makers or aumaga – assisted with the filtering of the ‘ava drink through a sieve made of the dried bark of the Fau tree.
It is a great honour to be selected to serve as an aumaga.
Whilst the beverage is being prepared the ‘ava orator (tufu’ava) explained the reason for the ceremony and announced when the ‘ava is about to be distributed.
As a sign of respect, the server will carry the cup to the guests and present it with a sweep of the arm from right to left, to show the inner side of the forearm to the guest.
The ‘Ava drink was presented to the King in a coconut shell.
He accepting it he tipped a small onto the ground in the local custom, saying, “May God Bless this ‘ava”.
He then said “la manuia”, which means “be prosperous”, before taking a sip.
The ‘ava drink was similarly presented to the Head of State and Prime Minister of Samoa.
Two women then bowed before presenting Their Majesties with ceremonial garlands, known as lei.
The King’s was made of the dried fruit from the pandanus tree and The Queen’s was a beautiful floral garland.
Traditional gifts, known collectively as the sua faatamalii, were presented to the villagers on behalf of the King and Queen, in a sign that the ceremony had come to an end.
A butchered pig was also presented but that will be gifted back to the village.
