Yawanawá Nawashahu | Femina Força

Exploring the Yawanawa Tribe....

Situated along the picturesque Gregoria River, nestled between Peru and Bolivia, and not far from Acre, is the Yawanawa tribe. Their language is part of the diverse Pano linguistic family, native to Western Amazonia. The tribe's economy heavily relies on hunting and fishing, especially during adverse weather conditions when these activities become crucial for their sustenance.

Intertribal Relations and Historical Development
The Yawanawá, known as 'the people of the wild boar', share their lands harmoniously with the neighboring Katukina tribe. Marriages between members of the two tribes, as well as alliances with foreign groups, are common and date back to the colonial era. Initially, these alliances were formed around the exploitation of resources like caoutchouc. However, modern alliances are more focused on sustainable practices that support the cultural and economic stability of these tribes.

Shamanic Beliefs and Practices
Shamanism is deeply rooted in Yawanawa culture. The journey to becoming a shaman is rigorous, involving numerous tasks and trials, such as the daunting task of extracting the heart of an anaconda or facing a swarm of bees. Candidates must adhere to strict dietary restrictions, avoiding meat, fruits, and sweets, and focus solely on traditional medicine for a year. Hallucinogenic plants, including ayahuasca, pepper, datura, Hapé, and Rustica juices, play a significant role in their initiation ceremonies.

The "rare muca" plant is revered as the most sacred among the Yawanawa. Its root is consumed only during special ceremonies, primarily by men embarking on the path to become warriors or healers. These initiation rituals are marked by unique incantations, the use of smudging herbs, and the recitation of prayers.

Hapé Tradition
Historically, the Yawanawa tribe adopted the use of Hapé following the passing of a revered healer. This sacrament is believed to cure ailments of the mind, psyche, and body, facilitating a deeper spiritual connection and enabling astral travel. The Yawanawa's Hapé, known as “Rume”, is a distinctive blend, primarily composed of Txunú tree bark ash and a strong Rustica, similar to mapacho.

The Txunú tree bark, known for its healing properties, is often used in Amazonian tribes, particularly in ayahuasca ceremonies. It enhances the ceremonial experience, easing symptoms like vomiting and aiding in spiritual cleansing. Initially, only male tribe members and the pajé, or medicine man, were permitted to use Hapé. However, this changed with the initiation of Hushahu Yawanawá, the tribe’s first female shaman. Her leadership and expertise in creating Hapé have earned her national recognition and inspired other women to pursue shamanism.

Today, Hushahu is one of the Yawanawá's most esteemed spiritual leaders, known for her exceptional Hapé snuff. Her contributions have not only enriched the tribe's shamanic traditions but have also played a pivotal role in advancing the status of women within the tribe and beyond.

We thank the Yawanawa peoples for sharing their love, knowledge, traditions and wonderful plant allies with us.