Description
Nukini Free Spirit Rapé| #100
This traditional Nukini Free Spirit rapé is of medium intensity. It has a delicate aroma which accentuates the presence of the combined ashes within the blend. This high quality blend is made up of organic tobacco, Tsunu and a selection of herbs. Nukini rapé helps to bring about a clarity of thought and works to ward off negative thoughts or energies.
Platycyamus regnellii
Tsunu ash comes from burning the wood of the Platycyamus regnellii tree. It is commonly used by Amazonian tribes in making their rapés. Within some Brazilian tribes, Tsunu goes by the name Rume.
The Nukini people
The Nukini tribe lives Along the lush green banks of the Moa River. Their language comes from the Pano linguistic root. Found in the center of the state of Acre in northwestern Brazil, this small tribe of 900 people has rich cultural expressions and a genuine lifestyle. All in harmony with the biodiverse most pristine native Amazon surroundings. This region also borders Peru and Bolivia where dense tropical forests are filled with sacred plant flora. The Rapé from the Nukini is known to be filled with feminine power since its women who often gather, select, formulate and prepare the plants for medicines and handicrafts. Many of their blends contain a flowery, fresh fragrance that offers a wonderful sense of grounding and clarity.
Songs
This Nukini Rapé comes directly from the Nukini tribe. Francisca Nuquini, who made this rapé, is not entirely sure how old she is. As the tribe elder, she says she has been gathering and preparing sacred plants for as long as she can remember. She is a humble and gentle woman, she speaks slowly and intentionally. When speaking about ancestral medicine, her face lights up with a warm smile.
During the weeks that we spent with Francisca, she shared with us the ancient secrets passed down to her from her Grandmother about how to prepare the best Rapé. She tells that the power is in the songs she sings to the plants before harvesting them and the special manner in which each part of the plant is respected and cared for throughout the entire preparation process. According to Francisca, there are three types of Rapé: aromatic, medicinal, and energizing. She said the plant recipes for each blend are tribe secrets that are kept to the women in her village. The recipes are only passed on to the following generations.
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.
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