Description
Kanamari rapé | Wild cacao | #6
Made exclusively for us by Raimunda Kanamari. She is one of the tribe’s elders; a true Kanamari Shaman.
The Kanamari Rapé Wild Cacao is an aromatic rapé that provokes pleasant feelings of relaxation and sweet dreams. It can be used as many times as desired. One of the main ingredients of this Rapé is the bean shell of the wild, ancient Cacao fruit grown traditionally in the Peruvian Amazonas. While the sacred recipe is Raimunda’s secret, she did share with us the names of the two other plants for the blend: Virola and Pashaca.
The Kanamari Tribe
The Kanamari tribe is related to the Katukina tribe. They live in the lower Amazon region of Peru and Brazil, deep inside the Amazon Rainforest away from the influences of settlers. Currently, the population is estimated at 2,800. They are intensely mobile and have a deep and rich heritage that has lasted for generations. They refer to themselves as Canamari or Tukuna, which means people. Are also known for their natural healing methods, or ‘curandeiros’, as well as for facial tattoos. The Kanamari believe they were created by Tamakori, who first created them and then later left to create the rest of humankind.
The Kanamaris from whom we are sourcing this rapé, belong to a small community of only 60 Kanamaris that live in the community of Umariaçú in the upper part of the Itaquaí river.
Raimunda Kanamari is ageless. Some say she is 70 years old. She is one of the few who still practice the tradition of preparing the Kanamari rapé. She knows many recipes and many methods to prepare special combinations for different occasions. She was handed down the traditional knowledge by her ancestors and from neighboring tribes like the Tanimuka. Every three months she travels downstream the Yavari river for 8 days to reach the Brazilian city of Atalaya where she exchanges her natural remedies for yuca, salt, and other products that not available in the jungle. Each time her arrival is anticipated and highly valued by many.
What is Rapé?
Rapé, pronounced ‘ha-pey’ in Portuguese, is a traditional snuff used by various indigenous tribes of South America. Predominantly tribal people from Brazil and Peru. Rapé blends contain a ground mixture of plants, tree bark, seeds, and ash. The fine powder is blown into each nostril through a bone or bamboo pipe called a ‘Tepi’ or ‘Kuripe’. The Tepi applicator is a long blow pipe that connects the nostril of the receiver to the mouth of the person that administers the snuff. The Kuripe is for self-application. The V-shaped applicator connects the nostril to the mouth allowing the snuff to be self-blown into the nose.
Each tribe has its own rapé formula and usually, it is women who gather the ingredients. The selection, mixture, and grinding process are regarded as a ritual only to be performed by a reputable healer. The snuff is typically made in small batches according to the specific needs of the person being treated or the ceremony’s occasion.
The use of Rapé aims to restore our connection to nature and a sense of grounding. It clears mental fog and confusion eliminating negative thought patterns. These powerful snuffs bring about physical and spiritual wellness.
Read more:
Step by step guide to using Rapé.
What is Rapé – Waking Herbs blog
