Hapé Circles
Hapé is a plant medicine from the Amazon forest of Peru and Brazil. For indigenous peoples such as the Yawanawa and the Huni Kuin, mapacho tobacco (mostly in the form of hapé) is one of the most important medicinal plants in their culture.
According to the ‘pajés’ of these traditions, Hapé can bring healing to the deepest level of our cells – recalibrating them, clearing our mind and energy system, and grounding us in our physical body. The medicine of hapé has a strong cleansing effect and can contribute to releasing stress, pain, sadness and worries from our system.
Through being initiated with this medicine during my own studies with the Yawanawa tribe in the Brazilian rainforest, I have received permission to serve and pass on this medicine to other people.
Just like with other plant medicine work, every single hapé session will be different. One time you might see visions and feel blissfully euphoric, other times you might vomit to cleanse your physical body. Hapé is a medicine that always wants to bring us to the light – yet sometimes it has us pass through some darkness to get there. Your individual experience is strongly linked to your intention, the moment in time at which you receive the medicine, your emotional state, the specific blend of hapé used, and the person administering it.
During our circle, two rounds of (different) hapés will be administered, and the ceremony will be guided with traditional chants and music from the Yawanawa tribe. Afterwards we will round off with a sharing circle.
Next hapé circles
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What is hapé?
Hapé, also spelled as rapé, is a snuff made from a mixture of powdered mapacho (tobacco), medicinal plants, herbs, and ashes. It is used by various indigenous tribes in the Amazonian region of South America for medicinal, therapeutic, and spiritual purposes.
The plants used in the preparation of hapé are believed to have healing properties that can help to clear the mind, balance emotions, cleanse the physical body and promote well-being.
In traditional usage, hapé is typically administered through a pipe (“tépi”) and blown into the nostrils.
Why work with hapé?
Working with hapé can provide a range of potential benefits for both the mind and body, as well as for spiritual development. Here are some reasons why people might choose to work with hapé:
- Physical benefits: The plants and herbs used in the preparation of hapé are believed to have a range of medicinal properties. Some tribes use hapé for its potential anti-inflammatory, analgesic, and anti-parasitic effects, among other potential benefits.
- Mental clarity: Hapé is said to have a cleansing effect on the mind, helping to clear away negative thoughts and emotions and promoting mental clarity and focus.
- Emotional balance: Hapé may help to balance emotions and reduce anxiety and stress, providing a greater sense of emotional stability and resilience.
- Spiritual connection: Many people who work with hapé report feeling a stronger connection to the natural world and a deeper sense of spiritual awareness.
- Ceremony and ritual: For many indigenous tribes, hapé is an important part of ceremony and ritual, helping to connect participants to their ancestral traditions and spiritual practices.
Will I feel sick / nauseous?
You may have to vomit or go to the bathroom, this is completely normal and part of the process, but does not always happen. This can occur immediately or shortly after receiving the hapé. Such a “purge” is considered cleansing and purifying – it is the medicine that works to clear your body and mind of all that is toxic and negative. The mucous membranes in your nasal cavity are stimulated, so you might want to blow your nose shortly after receiving the medicine. It is not the intention to swallow the hapé, as this can irritate the stomach and cause nausea.
What are prerequisites for using hapé?
You must be 18 years and older. Do not work with hapé during pregnancy, if you have high/low blood pressure, heart complaints, thyroid disorders, kidney diseases, depression, are using MAO inhibitors or specific medication (please reach out about this). Hapé Should never be used in combination with alcohol or drugs.
Can I drive home by myself after the session?
The medicine and/or the experience can be so intense that you may need some time to recover. Working with hapé can cause fatigue, nausea and/or dizziness. Some participants experience driving a car as too intense after ceremony. If you have no previous experience with hapé and / or know that you are sensitive, make sure someone can come to pick you up. This person cannot be present at the ceremony.
Get in touch!
Whether you’d like to ask a question, share insights or ideas, collaborate or just feel like having a chat – I can’t wait to hear from you!
