Shamans in the Brazilian Amazon taking Sacred Rapé - Medicinal Snuff

There are thousands of snuffs - ra-pes (pronouned ha-PAY) in the Amazon, each with different properties depending on the plants used as ingredients. Here at the Brazilian Amazon, in the Kuntanawa tribal reserve, indigneous shamans and leaders are gathered at the foot of the sacred samauma true taking a ra-pe break.

It is applied by adding the powder to one end of the pipe, and then inserting that end in your nose, while your conterpart on the other end blows. The medicine goes straight into your nasal passages where it is easily absorbed into the blood stream. It's usually a stimulating, eye- opening experience.

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