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Hapé: Indigenous Tradition and Contemporary Gateway
Hapé: Indigenous Tradition and Contemporary Gateway
Hapé: Indigenous Tradition and Contemporary Gateway
Personal growth and discovery, profound experiences, spiritual exploration, a deeper connection with nature, the universe and the higher powers within and around us. These are a few of my favorite things, as well as the key, core motivations to explore psychedelics and plant medicines.
As is true for many inner voyagers, my personal journey began through the portal of music. In the late 1980s I extended my psychedelic growth edges at my first of countless Grateful Dead shows, in an “intimate setting” of 115,000 people at Buckeye Lake, Ohio.
Since then, my love for inner travel has expanded and evolved. The long strange trip has grown longer, stranger and more fascinating with every step. The latest in a long line of my discoveries on the journey is Hapé, also called Rapé. (Pronounced hap-PAY and rap-PAY.)
Centuries Old Customs, Carried Forward by a New Generation
The use of Hapé, a traditional sacred snuff, is a relatively niche practice primarily associated with original cultures in the Amazon rainforest. Until recently, it hasn’t been extensively discussed. However, with the modern-day blossoming of interest in the myriad of potential psychedelic experiences, Hapé is gaining ground in recognition, understanding, use and appreciation outside indigenous communities.
For centuries in the Amazon basin, indigenous communities in have grown and harvested Hapé with prayer and intention. It is an integral part of shamanic and alternative medicine ceremonies, documented in regions of Peru, Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela and the south American countries of Suriname and Guyana. It is perhaps best known in Brazil, where various indigenous tribes in the Brazilian Amazon, such as the Yawanawá, Katukina and Huni Kuin, have a long history of Hapé practices.
C. Jill Hofer
Like many psychedelic and experiential voyages, the Hapé ceremony is enhanced and heightened by intention, setting, the participant’s mindset and the thoughtfulness of the person orchestrating the experience. As with any traditional medicine, Hapé should be approached carefully and with great respect for the cultural traditions and practices of the indigenous peoples who have been using it for generations.
An Ancient Amazonian Elixir to Awaken the Senses
The plants used in Hapé can vary significantly depending on the tribe and their customs, resulting in a wide variety of blends. Common ingredients include tobacco and Mapacho (wild tobacco), tree barks and medicinal plants found in the Amazon rainforest such as cedar, cacao, mint, clove, as well as Ayahuasca Vine used to enhance the visionary quality of the Hapé. Some Amazonian cultures incorporate additional plants with antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, psychoactive or healing properties.
Typically, Hapé is prepared by combining the crushed or powdered medicinal plants. The mixture is then delivered through the nostrils using a v-shapéd blowpipe. A two-person blowpipe is called a Tipi, while a Kuripe is used to administer to oneself. Commonly decorated with colors, symbols, stones and feathers, these blow pipes are often carried with Hapé powder in a personal pouch which is tied on a belt or worn around the neck.
C. Jill Hofer
When practicing the use of Hapé, many individuals choose to incorporate Ambil, which is a dark, sticky paste applied to the gumline, yielding an invigorating tingle. It consists of plants and leaves cooked for 24 hours over a wood fire. Ambil is said to carry prayers to the universe, provide portals to ancestors, ground the emotions, realign the chakras and open the heart for sincere, meaningful connections and conversations.
The use of shamanic powdered Hapé snuff and Ambil can be occasional, daily, or as a ritual before mediation or yoga practices. The majority of enthusiasts explore these substances to honor and learn from deeply-rooted cultural traditions.
Modern Footprints on the Shamanic Path
Contemporary psychonauts can turn to the internet to source Hapé and Ambil, along with tools of the ceremony and guidance for the process. For me, there’s nothing better than receiving this knowledge first-hand, from a sincere guide. I was fortunate to first partake Hapé and Ambil in a lovingly curated ceremonial space, steeped in spirituality.
Pipa, the founder of Healing Hive 13 in Tucson, Arizona, creates an ambient scene, set with incense, candles, feather fans and traditional rattles. During the ceremony, she sings along with a recording of a traditional chant by a Brazilian Chieftain.
The instant the Hapé was served, the physical sensation could be compared to a blast of wasabi reverberating from my nasal passages to the back of my head. Tears leaped to my eyes, serendipitously making way for more tears of joy, wonder and appreciation. The initial discomfort quickly transitioned to a floating stillness and a feeling of ease and assuredness.
I felt the light of the plants and animals, the flow of eternal waters and a spiritual connection throughout space and time. The effect was quick, intense and exceeded my expectations. The sensations, both physical and emotional, had an easy ebb and flow, enhanced and extended through the ceremonial chanting and the safe, conscientiously curated environment.
Courtesy of Samasati Yoga & Wellness Retreats
Since then, I have partaken of Hapé in nature, in my home, on mainland Mexico and the Isle of Mujeres, the location of the ruins of sacred Temple of Ixchel. It consistently delivers a feeling of grounded centeredness reminiscent of the hypnagogic state, with sensory experiences similar to those when transitioning from wakefulness to sleep, including visual, auditory and tactile sensations.
These sensory experiences can be both realistic and surreal, providing a window into the subconscious mind. Fleeting and dream-like visuals can be rich in symbolism and metaphor, giving witness to thoughts, memories and emotions. Exploring Hapé can offer intriguing insights into the psyche and inner world.
Inhaling Wisdom: What a Hapé Ceremony May Unveil
- Physical sensations including burning or tingling deep into the nasal passages.
- Cleansing and purging via expulsion of mucus, sometimes accompanied by sneezing or vomiting.
- Increased focus and enhanced metal clarity.
- Connectedness with the spirit world, ancestors, or the divine.
- A feeling of grounding and centering.
A Modern Odyssey through a Timeless Journey
Hapé holds a strong allure for those in the global psychedelic community curious about cultural traditions and transformative experiences. It can offer a unique lens through which to see the interface between consciousness, subconscious, and the infinite light of the universe.
Embracing the Hapé experience can lead to a deeper understanding of your own mind. It may assist in mindfulness practices, enhance meditations and facilitate a state of heightened awareness and focus. Whether as a bridge to self-discovery or a gateway to outer realms, Hapé holds timeless transformative power and insights for modern self-exploration and discovery.
Related: Kambo: Medicine for the Soul
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