Description

Katukina Samahuma Rapé | Forza | Air Spirit | #91

Katukina Samahuma Rapé is one of our favorites. This strong rapé embodies the female air spirit. The ingredients in this snuff contain sun-dried herbs. The herbs are carefully mixed with the ashes of leaves and roots of the imposing beautiful tree called Samahuma or Kapok tree.

This particular variety of snuff is made ceremonially with a higher percentage of ashes, which makes it stronger than other Katukina snuffs.

The Katukina people of Brazil regard the Samahuma Rapé snuff as a great healing tool. They believe it has great properties for the body and mind. Furthermore, folk medicine holds that it cleans and disinfects the respiratory airways; regulates the auditory system, and relieves headaches. In the mental and spiritual realm, our  Shaman friend thinks that it provides greater concentration and learning.

The Katukina people

The Katukina or Catuquinha are an indigenous group that inhabits the southwestern Brazilian state of Acre. They seem to be closely related to the Marúbo and the Kawanawas. They also belong to the same Pano linguistic family. By 1977 there were less than 200 Katukina people but the population is steadily recovering. Internally, the Katukinas are called according to their clans – kamãnaua (people of the dog), varinaua (people of the sun), satanaua (people of the otter), and neianaua (people of heaven).

Chanting rituals and profound forest survival skills keep this group united and in harmony with the rich amazonian environment they come from. They are the traditional carriers of rapé knowledge in the Amazonas region. When Katukinas share their rapé it is a key moment of transcendent connection with the spiritual realm.

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