Description
Katukina Ash powder | Byrsonima verbascifolia | Murici | #40
We were given this beautiful product by an indigenous shaman healer from the Katukina tribe in the Acre state in Brazil. Local healers use this ash as a base or admixture to their rapé’s. If you are interested in creating your own rape or add a wonderful plant to your own powder this is a clean and high vibrational additive.
Byrsonima verbascifolia locally known as Murici do campo is a deciduous shrub or small tree usually growing up to 6 metres tall, but only 1 metre tall when in scrubby savannah. The crooked bole can be 15 – 25cm in diameter. The edible fruit is often gathered from the wild and is then usually made into juices. The tree is also a source of medicines, wood and tannins for local use, and is occasionally cultivated in home gardens for its fruit.
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
