Description
Yavaraté Rapé | Sacred Secret | Colombia |#126
This Yavareté rapé is part of our Master rapé collection. This collection is a number of rapés carefully selected by Waking Herbs. We have several rapé masters that make unique, and exclusive blends. This specific mix is from Colombia where our dear friend Jairo has visited several indigenous tribes in search for the best blends.
This Colombian Yavaraté Rapé #126 is prepared following the traditional formula of the Tubú- Siriano which in their language means “the dream people”. We call this the Yavaraté rapé in order to honor the very unique indigenous communities of this isolated and majestic land in the department or province of Vaupés in Colombia, where the jungle meets the savannah and where an ancient and seldom known sacred Rapé culture happens to exist. Tubú-Siriano is the name of an indigenous community located in the town of Yavaraté in the Vaupés region between the Vaupés and the Papurí River along the Colombia and Brazil border.
The town of Yavaraté is located to the south east of the department’s capital, on the banks on the Vaupés and Maya rivers. People from Yavaraté share territory and cultural exchange with some tribes on the Brazilian side across the Vaupés river.
What is Rapé?
Rapé, pronounced ‘ha-pey’, is a traditional snuff used by various indigenous tribes of South America, predominantly from the tribal people of Brazil and Perú. The finely ground powder is blown into each nostril through a bone or bamboo pipe called a ‘Tepi’. Each tribe has its own formula and is ceremoniously prepared by specific members of the tribe. Traditional Rapés contain a blend of ground plants, tree barks, seeds, and ash. Among the different types of ashes used, the most common come from tsunu, Murici, Yarumo and Inga native trees.
Connecting to the Spirit of Nature
In some tribes, it is women who gather the ingredients and make Rapé while in others it is prepared by the tribe reputable healer. The snuff is typically made in small batches according to specific needs of the person being treated or to ceremonial intentions. These snuffs are very powerful, profoundly healing and cleansing on many levels. The use of Rapé aims to restore our connection to the spirit of nature while invoking power to bring about physical and spiritual healing.
Tepi or Kuripe
Traditionally, Rapé is administered through either the ‘Tepi’or ‘Kuripe’. The ‘Tepi’ applicator is used when one person administers the snuff and another receives it. The ‘Tepi’ is a long blow pipe that connects the nostril of the receiver with the mouth of the blower, who then blows the rapé into the nose of the receiver. The ‘Kuripe’ is for self-application. The V-shaped applicator connects the nostril to the mouth directing the blow or snuff into the nose.
Opening the Body’s Energy Channels
In general, amazonian users believe Rapé facilitates the opening and clearing of the body’s energy centers also known as ‘chakras’. Rapés promote a sense of grounding and connection to earth. Some think it frees our physical, mental, emotional and spiritual bodies from disease. It is also said that using Rapé opens what is known as the third-eye ‘chakra’, it can decalcify the pineal gland, clear mental fog and end confusion. It may also help stop negative thought patterns; but finally, what makes it more precious is it’s power to reconnect us to our breath and sense of here and now.
