Indulgences

1. Nakava

   Kava (the dictionary form)

   Usage

   Vanuatu's national drink.

   Grammar Note

   The na- is a fossilised noun prefix from the vernacular languages

2. Kavaba

   Kava bar

   Usage

   A shop in town that lights up and opens in the evening. Where a village nakamal doubles as a meeting house, this is a commercial venue

3. Maetaem

   Kava time

   Usage

   Means "kava time". Kava is drunk at a place called a nakamal, and staying quiet afterwards is the etiquette

4. Tudei

   Tudei (strong kava)

   Usage

   A strong sort whose effect is said to last two days, best avoided on a first visit. Start instead with "Wan smol" — a small one

   Grammar Note

   From English "two day"

5. Neskava

   Instant kava powder

   Usage

   Sold as a souvenir to take home

   Grammar Note

   Coined on the brand name Nescafé, exactly like "neskafe" for instant coffee

6. Redimed

   Kava prepared for sale

   Usage

   Kava bought finished at a shop rather than pounded from the root at home

   Grammar Note

   From English "ready made"

7. Novunu

   Food or drink taken after kava

   Usage

   Kava is bitter, so something is eaten or drunk afterwards to clear the taste; at a kava bar you order it separately

   Grammar Note

   "pupu" is also used for the same thing, but "pupu" also means triton shell

8. Tamafa

   Spitting with a murmured wish after drinking kava

   Usage

   Do not be startled to see it at a nakamal; watch quietly rather than copying it

9. Bia

   Beer

   Usage

   Sold in town bars and shops

   Grammar Note

   ⚠ Capitalised, "Bia" is also a village on Santo

10. Wiski

    Whisky

    Usage

    Poured in town bars and hotels. There are also the words "brandi" for brandy and "jin" for gin

11. Draebam

    Home brew

    Usage

    Not the same thing as shop alcohol, with no fixed strength or method. It is fine to decline if offered

    Grammar Note

    The word is Bislama's own

12. Sigaret

    Cigarette

    Usage

    The verb is "smokem". Signs read "No smok" (no smoking) and "Ples blong smok" (smoking area)

13. Tabak

    Tobacco

    Usage

    On the islands, buying loose tobacco and rolling your own is more usual than buying cigarettes

14. Telio

    Cigarette paper

    Usage

    Sold at the store alongside "tabak"

    Grammar Note

    ⚠ The general word for paper is "pepa", a different word from this one

15. Betelnat

    Betel nut

    Usage

    ⚠ Not a Vanuatu custom. Betel nut is chewed by people from the Solomon Islands and Papua New Guinea, and ni-Vanuatu began chewing it only after Solomon Islanders arrived. You will see it in Port Vila, but villages may frown on it

    Grammar Note

    There are two words, "betelnat" and "waelkokonas" (literally "wild coconut")

Browse all TravelPhrases languages