ABSTRACT
Tonga is a Polynesian society that stresses the ideal of social harmony. As is typical in Oceania, eating and drinking together are important occasions for sustaining social relationships. The author describes and analyzes the kava drinking circle in terms of how this social event provides an informal social mechanism for airing grievances and bringing about conformity to group expectations. Humor and joking are an important part of the process. Olson notes that in contrast to the formal courtroom and alcohol-drinking situations that sometimes lead to fighting, the kava circle provides a means for the friendly and nonviolent airing of grievances and the working out of conflict through joking and good-natured talk.
