Description
Katukina Starlight Rapé | Tsuno Ash (Platycyamus regnellii) & Cumala (Virola theiodora) #71
This is a Shaman-made Katukina Starlight Rapé made in the Brazilian Amazon. It contains Cumula and N. rustica. Katukina Starlight Rapé is strongly energizing and cleansing. This rapé is one of our personal favorites due to the combination of clean power and lightness at the same time.
Cumala (Virola theidora) is a tall tree that grows at low altitudes in various regions of the Amazon, from Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Brazil. Used as a snuff by various tribes in the Amazon, such as the Huitoto and Bora, the Cumala contains high amounts of strong alkaloids and is used because of its magic properties. It is known for its ability to clear heavy and dense energy from the energetic field, negative and cyclical thought patterns and emotions that are arising to be cleansed and cleared from the heart.
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
