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The Ultimate Guide to Hapé (Rapé) Ceremony: Wisdom from Indigenous Elders
- Urukla Healing
- Mar 21
- 5 min read
The Sacred Spirit of Hapé
Hapé, also known as Rapé, is far more than a powdered snuff—it is an ancient sacrament, a spirit ally, and a medicine of purification and alignment. Used for millennia by the indigenous tribes of the Amazon basin, including the Yawanawá, Kaxinawá (Huni Kuin), Katukina, Nukini, and Matsés, Hapé carries prayers, intentions, and deep healing properties. More than a physical medicine, it is considered a living spirit, connecting users to the ancestral realms, opening the third eye, and purging stagnant energies from the body and soul.
In the traditional sense, a Hapé ceremony is not simply about self-application or casual use. It is a ritual offering, a moment of communion with the forces of nature, the spirits of the tobacco (Mapacho), and the trees whose ashes form the sacred blend. To engage with Hapé without reverence is to miss the true depth of its wisdom. This guide, based on indigenous practices and teachings, will show you how to approach Hapé with the same respect and discipline as the Amazonian wisdom keepers.
Sacred Preparations for a Hapé Ceremony
Before the ceremony begins, there are important steps to prepare the space, body, and spirit. The indigenous elders teach that a clean and consecrated environment is essential, as Hapé does not work merely on the physical level but also on the energetic and spiritual dimensions.
1. Preparing the Space
A sacred space should be created with pure intentions and reverence. This is where the ceremony will take place, and it should be free from distractions and energetically clean. Traditional shamans prepare their space with the following elements:
Palo Santo, White Sage, or Copal Resin – Burning these clears stagnant or unwanted energies.
Florida Water or Agua de Kananga – Used to anoint the space and participants.
A Sacred Altar – May include feathers, stones, flowers, candles, and offerings to the spirit.
Shamanic Music or Chants (Icaros) – Used to invoke protection and guide the journey.
2. Cleansing and Grounding
Hapé requires the user to be in a centred state, as it is a medicine that grounds while also expanding awareness. Before administering, traditional practices include:
Smudging yourself with smoke from Palo Santo or sage.
Drinking herbal tea (such as Guayusa or Lemongrass) to purify the body.
Breathwork (Pranayama) – Slow, deep breathing to enter a focused state.
3. Tools Needed for the Ceremony
Kuripe (Self-Application Pipe): A V-shaped pipe used for solo application, connecting the mouth to the nostrils.
Tepi (Servant Pipe): A longer ceremonial pipe used when one person administers Hapé to another.
Sacred Hapé Blend: Different tribes create unique blends; some contain ashes from trees like Tsunu, Murici, or Cumaru.
Tobacco Offering: In traditional practice, a small prayer or offering of loose Mapacho is given in honour of the plant spirits.
Step-by-Step Hapé Ritual & Ceremony
1. Invocation & Setting an Intention
Before receiving Hapé, it is important to set a strong intention. Traditional Amazonian shamans teach that Hapé does not do the work for you—it amplifies your own energy and allows you to clear what is no longer needed. Ask yourself:
What am I seeking clarity on?
What do I need to release?
How can I honour the spirit of this medicine?
A short prayer may be spoken aloud, such as: "Great Spirit, bless this medicine. May it clear my mind, strengthen my heart, and align my soul with truth. I honour the spirits of the plants and the wisdom of my ancestors.
2. Application of Hapé
Hapé is always applied through the nose, which indigenous tribes believe to be the gateway to higher consciousness and divine vision. The application process follows a specific sequence, representing the life and death cycle, and must be done with intention.
Self-Application with Kuripe:
Put a small amount of Hapé in the palm of your hand.
Connect to the medicine through the heart, and feel your intentions.
Fill the pipe (Kuripe) through the longer tube.
Position the Kuripe: take a deep breath through the mouth and hold.
Place the longer end of the Kuripe into the left nostril and the other end into the mouth.
Blow inside the Kuripe pipe with intention.
Repeat for the right nostril.
Now close your eyes and enjoy your meditation.
Receiving Hapé from a Shaman or Practitioner (Tepi):
The recipient sits with a straight spine, eyes closed, and hands in a prayer position.
The shaman or practitioner places a small portion of Hapé into the Tepi pipe.
With reverence and focused intention, the shaman positions the Tepi against the recipient’s left nostril first.
With a strong and intentional breath, the shaman blows the medicine forcefully into the left nostril, symbolizing the receiving energy of the Moon (Yin, Pingala).
The second nostril is then served, balancing the emissive energy of the Sun (Yang, Ida).
The recipient breathes deeply, keeping their awareness in the moment, allowing the medicine to cleanse and align their energy.
After the application, they remain in silence, allowing the spirit of the medicine to work through them.
Once applied, breathe only through the mouth to prevent the powder from going into the throat. After at least 10 minutes, you can gently blow and clean your nose.
Hapé is always applied through the nose, which indigenous tribes believe to be the gateway to higher consciousness and divine vision. The application process follows a specific sequence, representing the life and death cycle, and must be done with intention.
3. Understanding the Energy of Each Nostril
Rapé must be blown into both nostrils to balance the energetic currents of the body:
Left Nostril: Represents the Moon channel (Pingala/Yin - Receptive), which governs deep emotions, joy, love, and creativity. Imbalances in this channel may manifest as depression, guilt, low self-esteem, or emotional attachment.
Right Nostril: Represents the Sun channel (Ida/Yang - Emissive), which strengthens rational thinking, willpower, and problem-solving. Imbalances here may appear as rigidity, arrogance, excessive pride, or stubbornness.
By balancing these two forces, Hapé harmonizes the masculine and feminine energies within the body.
4. Receiving and Integrating the Medicine
After administration, the effects of Hapé are felt instantly. The medicine works on multiple levels:
Physical: A sharp sensation in the sinuses, increased saliva, and possibly mild nausea (as it cleanses toxins).
Mental: The mind clears, thoughts settle, and focus sharpens.
Spiritual: Some experience visions, deep meditative states, or an intense emotional release.
Once applied, breathe only through the mouth to prevent the powder from going into the throat. After at least 10 minutes, you can gently blow and clean your nose.
A Gateway to Higher Awareness
Hapé is more than plant medicine—it is a path to self-discovery, clarity, and ancestral wisdom. By engaging with this sacred practice in the way of the Indigenous traditions, we honour the spirit of the Amazon and the keepers of this ancient knowledge.
May this guide serve as a bridge between worlds, bringing the sacred back into the hands of those who seek truth.
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