Rapé (sacred Indian tobacco)

 

Rape is being used together with Kambo medicine by many indigenous tribes such as Yawanawa, Kaxinawa-Huni and Katukina. It is used to enhance the cleansing process, make the release of blocked energy more effective as well as eliminate sickness.

What is Rapé ritual ?

Shamans from regions of Amazon use this „sacred Tobacco” to connect with „Great Spirit” and more precisely with “Yushibu energy” – the force of creation. The application has been known for centuries and is mainly used in spiritual area of native people. The Incas were probably the first people who smoked, chewed and snuffed tobacco with their nostrils. The method of snuffing the tobacco had been brought to
Europe by Columbus, however the western way of using the tobacco has nothing to do with traditions and ritual use of Rapé by native Indians. Powder mixture of Rapé (In the amount of app. one pea) is blown into an each individual nostril through thin bamboo pipe or hollow bone (so called Tepi). Traditionally it is being first blown into left nostril, this side – accordingly to beliefs of native people represents death. The right side represents resurrection and at no cost it should be omitted. The dosage can be adjusted depending on individual. For experienced users, there is also a way of self application of Rapé using a “V” shape pipe (connecting mouth with nostril), which by Indians is called “Kuripe”. A proper insufflation is an art. The energy of a person doing a ritual is also very important. Additionally native Indians call upon energies of animals that support the spirit of medicine. 

What are the ingredients of Rapé?

The base for every Rapé mixture is Tobacco. But it is not the same as being used in Western countries. This tobacco (so called Aztec’s or Farmer’s Tobacco) can be up to 20 times more potent than a commercial one. The other, traditionally very important ingredient of Rapé, is an ash from bark of Pau Pereira tree (platycyamus regnellii).
The Rapé blends vary between added ingredients depending on what kind of ritual they would be used to. Those can be herbs, healing plants, seeds and bark of many species of Amazon trees. Each Rapé blend has different mechanism working on human body. Indians talk here about vibrations and energetic properties. Native inhabitants believe that you connect with powerful plant spirits through regular Rapé taking.

Influence and how Rapé works?

Rapé works mainly on spiritual level. It helps to unleash mentally instilled patterns of thinking, it frees energetic body from extraneous energies as well as opens and harmonises chakras (human body energy points). On heart level it releases Panema, which is bad luck that accordingly to Indians is responsible for blockages and lack of power or will. On physical level Rapé cleanses and detoxifies sinus. Toxins are dispersed together with mucus. Increasingly, Rapé is used to detoxify the pineal gland, but this action has not yet been scientifically proven.

Summarising, Rapé has following effects:
  • beep opening of all top chakras (third eye and crown chakra)
  • better body grounding
  • sickness release on physical, emotional and psychological level
  • decalcification of the pineal gland and opening of the third eye (not yet scientifically proven!)
  • removing tiring and stressful thoughts, enhances mental clarity
  • release of energy blockages
  • connecting with the breath of the Universe and the growth of spiritual vibrations

What happens on the physical level during Rapé application?

It is advisable to take Rapé in a quiet place. If it takes place in a closed room it is  helpful to clear the space. To do that one can perform a small ritual using incenses or other herbal shamanic plants.
Once this is done portions of Rapé of the size of a pea are divided in half, and then one sits in an upright position with eyes closed. Rapé is blown through a tube of bamboo or "tepi" into the nostrils. When this is done it is recommended to breathe slowly through the mouth. After the application dizziness, nausea, sometimes vomiting or increase salivation may briefly occur. These are the results of the treatment of Rapé, however those side effects are not always present and are dependent on individual blocks and toxic load of the person taking Rapé (yet still, bucket , wipes and water should be handy). In addition, it is recommended to restrain from sexual activity when taking Rapé.

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