Hello everyone, I’m Sam Believ, founder of LaWayra Retreat near Medellin, Colombia. Today, I want to discuss a vital component of ayahuasca ceremonies: the role of the shaman. Understanding the shaman’s role can provide insight into the profound and transformative experiences that occur during these ceremonies. Shamans are the spiritual guides and healers who lead […]
Key Takeaways Nature and setting shape ayahuasca outcomes by affecting safety, stress levels, and how open participants feel during ceremony. A strong ceremony setting includes the physical space, lighting, cleanliness, group layout, and a calm atmosphere that reduces overwhelm. Experienced facilitators (shamans or guides) help manage difficult moments, support participants, and set clear intentions for […]
Key Takeaways Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazonian brew used for spiritual work, healing, guidance, and community bonding in Indigenous cultures. Traditional ayahuasca ceremonies are led by shamans (curanderos) and often include icaros (sacred songs), nighttime rituals, and guided inner journeys. In many Amazonian communities, ayahuasca use is communal, it supports social bonds, conflict resolution, and […]
Key Takeaways Colombia has a long ayahuasca (yagé) tradition, and Western documentation in the 1940s helped introduce it to wider audiences. Ethnobotanist Richard Evans Schultes documented Indigenous ayahuasca use in Colombia, including how it was prepared and used in ceremony. In the 1970s, Terence and Dennis McKenna traveled in Colombia, later popularizing their experiences through […]
Key Takeaways Rapé (also spelled rapeh) is a sacred Amazonian snuff made from finely ground tobacco and other medicinal plants. Rapé is not smoked, it is blown into the nostrils using a pipe called a kuripe (self-application) or a tepi (applied by another person). Indigenous Amazon tribes use rapé for grounding, mental focus, energetic cleansing, […]
Key Takeaways In ayahuasca ceremonies, fire serves both practical needs (light, warmth, and a clear center point) and symbolic meaning (purification, transformation, and renewal). A steady ceremonial fire can help participants feel grounded by providing a calming focal point during intense moments. In many traditions, the shaman tends the fire as part of the ritual, […]
Key Takeaways Ayahuasca is a traditional Amazonian brew made mainly from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, used for centuries in Indigenous spiritual and healing ceremonies. In Indigenous contexts, ayahuasca ceremonies are guided by experienced leaders and include structured rituals (preparation, chants or icaros, group setting) meant to support healing and insight. Some modern religious movements, […]
Key Takeaways Ayahuasca use may feel compatible or incompatible with religious beliefs, it depends on the person’s faith, interpretation, and intent. Many Indigenous Amazonian traditions treat ayahuasca as sacred and central to spiritual and healing ceremonies. Many mainstream Christian, Islamic, and Buddhist teachings discourage intoxicants, but some individuals and syncretic churches still view ayahuasca as […]
Key Takeaways Medicine music in ayahuasca ceremonies (often traditional Icaros) is used as guided singing and sound to support emotional release, grounding, and a sense of safety during intense experiences. Icaros are commonly described as prayer-like songs led by experienced shamans, meant to guide the group through different stages of the ceremony. The music can […]
Who is Taita? Understanding Colombian Ayahuasca Tradition If you’re exploring the world of ayahuasca, especially in Colombia, you might’ve come across the term ‘Taita“. Taita, in many indigenous Colombian cultures, is more than just a title. It’s a mark of deep respect, denoting a healer or a shaman, specifically one who conducts ayahuasca ceremonies. Another […]
