(Commonwealth_ CHOGM) King Charles III participated in a traditional kava-drinking ceremony during his recent visit to Samoa, where he was honored with the title of “high chief” of the Pacific island nation. This significant event marks the monarch’s first major overseas trip following his cancer diagnosis earlier this year, underscoring the importance of this engagement for both the king and the communities he is visiting.
The 75-year-old king sat at the head of a beautifully carved timber longhouse, dressed in a white safari-style suit. Here, they presented him with a polished half-coconut filled with kava, a mildly narcotic beverage of great cultural significance in the Pacific. Known locally as “ava,” the drink is made from the kava plant’s roots, which are prepared through a ceremonial process that includes parading the roots before filtering them using a sieve crafted from dried fau tree bark. As a local man shouted traditionally to announce the drink’s readiness, King Charles blessed the beverage by saying, “May God bless this ava,” before taking a sip, prompting applause from the gathered audience.
Accompanying him was Queen Camilla, who fanned herself to alleviate the tropical humidity, a reminder of the climate conditions that Pacific nations are increasingly facing. Many Samoans expressed their enthusiasm for hosting the king during this pivotal moment, reflecting the historical ties between Samoa and Britain.
King Charles received the title of “Tui Taumeasina,” or high chief, during their visit to the village of Moata’a. Local chief Lenatai Victor Tamapua emphasized the significance of this area, which is linked to the legend of the coconut’s origin. Tamapua expressed deep honor at the royal couple’s visit and aimed to raise awareness about pressing local issues, particularly climate change. He highlighted the vulnerability of the mangrove ecosystems, which are essential for the community’s livelihoods, as they rely on these areas for mud crabs and fish. Tamapua pointed out that rising tides have led to considerable erosion and loss of food sources over the last two decades, with sea levels increasing by two to three meters.
The timing of the king’s visit coincided with the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting taking place in Apia, where discussions around the legacy of the empire and contemporary global challenges were paramount. The meeting’s agenda included the selection of a new secretary-general by Commonwealth leaders, who selected nominees from African nations through a regional rotation system. Notably, candidates have publicly advocated for reparations related to historical injustices, particularly slavery and colonialism. Joshua Setipa from Lesotho suggested that resolutions could explore innovative compensation methods, including climate financing, to address these enduring inequalities within the context of current global environmental challenges.
Climate change emerged as a crucial issue at the meeting, with leaders from Tuvalu, Vanuatu, and Fiji advocating for a “fossil fuel non-proliferation treaty.” They have urged major Commonwealth nations—specifically Australia, Britain, and Canada—to take more robust actions in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, given their historical responsibility, as these countries have collectively accounted for over 60 percent of the Commonwealth’s fossil fuel emissions. The calls for enhanced action reflect the urgent need for global cooperation in addressing climate change and its disproportionate impacts on vulnerable Pacific nations, which face rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
