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Iquitos is getting quite a reputation
as a drug-tourism destination, due to the misunderstanding of and
misinformation about ayahuasca and shamanism. A shaman is a healer who uses
natural as well as spiritual resources. Ayahuasca is a tool he uses, among
other things, to enter the spiritual world.
The
Ayahuasca Ritual, Amazon Basin, Peru
To many people, the Amazon
Basin of Northern Peru is a fascinating place because of its biodiversity.
And they are right; the birthplace of the Amazon, the mightiest river on Earth,
is still the most biodiverse place on the planet.
But this region is more than
just a collection of countless plant and animal species. It is also the
homeland of 23 native tribes that have lived here for over a thousand
years. Each one has its own language, culture, customs, myths and legends.
Shamans, or medicine men, have
inherited the knowledge of dozens of generations. They know everything
about the natural, but also about the mystical and spiritual side of the
jungle. They know every plant, every animal, but they also know the power
that the forest holds. The sheer amount of different medicinal plants is
simply astonishing, let alone their applications, whether in combination
with other plants or not.
One of the better known
medicinal plants is ayahuasca (pron: aya-wasca), a vine that can easily be
found deep in the rainforest. Ayahuasca is treated with great respect by
the local population, because it is one of the most powerful plants in the
forest. Only the shaman is allowed to use, prepare and apply ayahuasca,
because messing with this plant can land you in a world of trouble.
Knowledge and experience are necessary!
According to the shaman,
ayahuasca is the key to the spiritual world. Those who use it, open the
gate to ‘the other side’. Ayahuasca causes incredibly clear and
detailed visions en sometimes provides answers to old questions.
Whether you believe in
spiritual visions or in hallucinations; this product is known for its
strong cleansing qualities of both body and spirit. Those who undergo an
ayahuasca ritual usually have to go through a fase of severe vomiting and
diarreah. Therefore a preparational period of a few days up to a week is
recommended. Those who don’t keep to a strict diet as prescribed by
the shaman during this period and furthermore smoke, drink alcohol or
consume other types of drugs should realize that they are in for a heavy
session. But many people who have taken part in an ayahuasca ceremony
describe it as a life-changing experience.
Unfortunately, ayahuasca is
becoming better known around the world as a hallucinogenic drug. Iquitos, the capital of
Loreto, the northern Peruvian province and birthplace of the Amazon, sees
increasing numbers of ayahuasca-tourism. Because of the rainforest, the
natural environment and the low prices, Iquitos was already popular with
young, hippy-like backpackers, but now more and more people come to this
region, just to use ayahuasca. Not to experience its spiritual cleansing
qualities, but just to get high. And for that you don’t need a shaman.
Or so one believes!
As could be expected, some
elements within the local community have discovered that there is good
money to be made with ayahuasca. They approach gringo’s in the
street; “Ayahuasca? Ayahuasca?” It reminds me of the scum
hanging out on the street corners in poor inner city neighborhoods, dealing
drugs. There is no control; there are no laws, because the sale and use of
ayahuasca is not illegal. Especially young, adventurous and naïve
tourists can be persuaded to do business with these types, often with
terrible results.
Tourists who really are looking for a bonafide shaman
who can provide them with a spiritual experience are sometimes cheated as
well. On the internet it is the charlatans, not the shamans, who offer
their services, often at enormously inflated rates of hundreds of dollars
per person. A real shaman doesn’t charge more than 30 or 40 dollars.
I know of one case where the so-called ‘shaman’ lives so close
to town, that he has people brought to his house via a huge detour, just to
give them the impression that he lives on a remote location in the forest.
But, apart from being
overcharged, some tourists become victims of robbery, theft, or sexual
assault. People under the influence of ayahuasca usually can’t tell
the difference between what’s real and what’s illusion and are
completely dependent on the ‘shaman’ for their well-being. On
the internet one can easily find many horror stories about these practices.
And finally, there is the
matter of health. As I pointed out before, ayahuasca is a very potent
potion. Those who use it without proper preparation, or even worse, in
combination with drugs or alcohol, take a real risk. In Iquitos, everyone
knows the stories about gringo’s who lost control and went crazy
after using a combination of ayahuasca with other substances. Many end up
in the hospital. In Iquitos, that is no guarantee that you will get better!
There are stories about the unfortunate ones who didn’t survive to
tell the tale as well, but personally I cannot confirm any of those.
I am not against the use of
ayahuasca. On the contrary; I think that, under the right circumstances,
with the guidance of a genuine shaman, it can be a fascinating and
enhancing experience. The problem is the lack of a supervisory body that can
advise and give recommendations and that can take action against bad
practices. There are plans to start a shamanic center in Iquitos, where
people can go for information, advice and bookings. Everyone, both shamans
as well as tourists, would benefit from such a center. But for the moment
there is no such thing yet. Unil that time, one can only give tourists a
couple of tips; a real shaman never drinks alcohol and never charges you up
front. True, it isn’t much, but it may give you an indication.
If you are looking for an authentic
shamanic experience of bodily and spiritual cleansing and enrichment,
ikitos.com can help. We work with some bonafide, qualified shamans, where
you can participate in the authentic ayahusaca ceremony. We guarantee the
authenticity of the ritual, the quality of the experience and YOUR SAFETY.
You will pay an honest price for an honest shaman. Contact
ikitos.com and we will take care of everything
for you.
Those who just want to get
high and have a wild time; just stay away.
Iquitos has no use for your
kind of tourism; we have more than enough problems already.
Some links to fascinating stories
about ayahuasca are:
SCP.org
Living In Peru / 9
de Octubre
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