Yaqona is a plant with thick roots that have been used in ceremonies across the Pacific for thousands of years. The dried roots are pounded into a powder, mixed with water in a large wooden bowl called a 'tanoa', and served in a small cup made from half a coconut shell, called a 'bilo'. The drink is earthy and slightly numbing on the tongue.
The ceremony has a set of gentle rules. The guest sits cross-legged in front of the chief. They present the bundle of yaqona roots with both hands and a few words of greeting. The chief or a designated elder accepts the gift and welcomes them. Everyone claps once together - a sound called 'cobo' - to mark the moment.
The sevusevu is about much more than a drink. It is a statement of respect, of asking permission to be a guest on someone else's land. In Fiji, land is deeply connected to family and community identity. Arriving without a sevusevu would be seen as rushing past a very important hello.
Today, sevusevu is still practised in many villages. Some visitors from other countries learn about it and bring a small bundle of yaqona roots as a sign of respect. Fijians who have moved to cities or other countries often still hold sevusevu ceremonies at big family events, keeping the tradition alive.