Introducing
The Shipibo Conibo
Who are the Shipibo - Conibo?
Shipibo - apemen. Conibo - fishmen.
Shipibo - Conibo are indigenous people living primarily along the Ucayali River, Peru, a major tributary of the Amazon. They emerged from the unification of two distinct groups: the Shipibo (apemen ) and the Conibo (fishmen).
Before European contact, the Shipibo-Conibo lived a lifestyle deeply intertwined with the Amazon rainforest, they were self- sufficient and in harmony with their environment. Proven to be resilient people and resisting conquest by the Inca Empire, unlike many other Indigenous people. They remained largely isolated untill the 'rubber boom' of the 19th Century.
Ucayali River
Maestra Rosenda sharing one of her shamanic songs (Icaro)
Medicine Songs of the Icaro
What are Icaros?
Icaros are considered sacred songs to the Shipibo - Conibo people. Each icaro is unique, with its melody and rhythm tailored to address specific intentions, such as healing physical ailments, resolving emotional traumas, or seeking spiritual insights. They are believed to be received directly from the plant spirits during shamanic visions and dreams.
The sound of the icaro is sung in a distinctive melody and tone, believed as songs that communicate to the spirit realm. The melodies and rhythms of icaros are visually represented in Shipibo-conibo art, through the intricate arrangement of lines, dots, and symbols known as kené designs. These patterns often mirror the flow and movement perceived by shamans during their spiritual journeys, who have reported to see kené patterns.
The practice of Shamanism
What is a Shaman?
Within the Shipibo - Conibo are shamans, people who could be considered as taking the role of the doctor from a western perspective. However this doctor is of the spiritual kind, in which the Shamans aim is to facilitate healing through the restoration of physical and mental balance. A Shaman, known as "Maestro", "Onanya" or "Ayahuasquero," is said to play a central role of the intermediary between the physical and spiritual realms.
Shipibo - Conibo and their connection to Ayahuasca
The Shipibo-Conibo people of the Peruvian Amazon are among the most renowned indigenous groups for their deep spiritual relationship with ayahuasca, a sacred brew made from the Banisteriopsis caapi vine. For centuries, the Shipibo-Conibo have used ayahuasca as a tool for physical healing, spiritual insight, psychologial wellbeing and wisdom, making it central to their cultural identity.
The Shipibo-Conibo people believe that the spiritual world is intricately connected to the physical, and ayahuasca serves as a bridge between these realms. They regard the Banisteriopsis caapi vine as "Mother Ayahuasca," a wise and nurturing spirit teacher who imparts knowledge, healing, and guidance.
Shipibo - conibo ayahuasca ceremonies are typically led by shamans, known as Onanya ("the wise ones"), who have undergone years of training to understand the complex spiritual, medicinal, and energetic properties of the plant. These ceremonies involve the use of sacred songs, called Icaros, which are believed to connect participants to the spirit of the plant, guide their visions, and facilitate healing.
The Shipibo-Conibo view ayahuasca as a sacred medicine rather than a recreational substance. They believe it reveals hidden truths, clears energetic blockages, and provides deep emotional and spiritual healing. Participants in ceremonies often report profound insights into their lives, clarity about unresolved issues, and a renewed sense of purpose.
The Making of Ayahuasca Brew
Banisteriopsis caapi - Ayahuasca vine + Psychotria viridis - Chakruna leaves
The preparation of ayahuasca is a sacred process involving meticulous care and intention. The Shipibo - Conibo people most commonly harvest the "cielo" variety of Banisteriopsis caapi vine, known for its harmonious and enlightening properties.
The vine is stripped of its bark, pounded, and combined with the leaves of Psychotria viridis (chakruna), a plant rich in DMT. The mixture is boiled for hours, sometimes over multiple days, until a potent brew is created.
Chakruna is added to the brew because it contains the compound DMT, which is responsible for the visionary experiences during ayahuasca ceremonies. Natural alkaloids in the Banisteriopsis caapi vine function as 'MAOI's' - inhibiting the breakdown of DMT and enabling its absorption. Shipibo - Conibo suggest B. caapi serves as the "teacher" and facilitator, whilst chakruna provides the "light" or visions, enabling participants to access deeper spiritual realms and gain profound insights.
The preparation is not merely a physical act but a spiritual one. The shamans sing Icaros during the brewing process, imbuing the concoction with healing energy and guidance from "Mother Ayahuasca" herself.
The role of plants as healers
From the Shipibo - Conibo perspective, plants are not only biological entities. Plants are believed to embody spirits and contain profound wisdom, which can be harnessed for healing purposes.
The Shipibo - Conibo learn about the plants through a combination of ancestral knowledge passed down through generations, and direct communication with plant spirits during shamanic rituals. They believe that each plant has a specific purpose and unique healing properties. The correct use of these plants can address physical health issues, such as wounds and illnesses, and psychological health concerns, including emotional traumas and mental imbalances.
Caapi vine
Our friend Maestro Cecilio singing one of his sacred medicine icaros
Cecilio has been working with the Caapi vine and dieting many master plants for over 40 years
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