Yawanawa Rapé – New Hope

This Yawanawa Rapé was crafted by a young member of the tribe who spent three years on a diet, dedicating his life to the traditional spirituality of his people. Peu at the moment is one the main cultural and spiritual ambassadors of their tradition. Having profound knowledge of its practice and techniques. This reflects in the quality of his Rapé.

The Yawanawa nearly lost their tradition since they made contact beginning in the last century. A change occurred in the late 1980s as a cultural immersion movement began to bring back their traditions. Led by their new chief, a strong advocate for tribal rights, they expelled the rubber tappers, missionaries and alcohol from their community. Guided by the last two living medicine men of their people, the new chief was the first of this new generation to do a traditional initiation diet.

In this manner they started to bring back the traditional medicines of their people, like Rume (Rapé) and Uni (Ayahuasca) amongst others. During this period of renewal, leaving a painful past behind, they moved their community to a new location for a fresh start. They baptised their new home ‘Nova Esperança’ – New Hope. Here they started also their tradition of yearly cultural festivals inviting the outside world to their universe.

Yawanawa Rapé

For the more traditional members of the tribe Rapé is not real Yawanawa if it is not following the simple recipe of tobacco and Tsunu ashes. The Tsunu tree is a native species of the region, they burn the bark to make the ashes.

More about Rapé…

Use with respect and care; it is a tobacco product and can be habit forming!