Ritual and medicinal plants of the Ese'ejas of the Amazonian rainforest (Madre de Dios, Perú).
C Desmarchelier, A Gurni, G Ciccia, A M Giulietti
Journal of ethnopharmacology May 1, 1996 Peer reviewed DOI: 10.1016/0378-8741(96)01390-6 via PubMed
Summary
The Ese'eja tribe, a hunter-fisher-gatherer group in southeastern Peru, integrates their cultural practices with religious beliefs, viewing disease as caused by various factors including evil powers. Shamanic practices play a crucial role in their health practices, utilizing medicinal and ritual plants, particularly ayahuasca, which is central to shaman initiation and healing rituals. Diagnosis and treatment often involve invoking the spirit of ayahuasca.
Study at a glance
| Population | Ese'eja tribe of Amerindians in southeastern Peru |
|---|---|
| Key finding | Shamanic practices and the use of ayahuasca are integral to the health practices of the Ese'eja tribe. |
Abstract
The Ese'eja is a hunter-fisher-gatherer tribe of Amerindians which occupies the south-eastern part of Perú. Their culture cannot be disassociated from religious beliefs. Disease can be caused by accident, distraction or indolence, or by evil powers. These evil powers come either from the direct action of a harmful shaman or by interactions with the Devil. A description of shamanic practices is given to elucidate the position of health practices in Ese'eja culture, which includes the use of medicinal and ritual plants. Aspects of ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce) Morton, Malpighiaceae) ritual in shaman initiation and in healing rituals are presented. Diagnosis and treatment include invocation to the ayahuasca spirit. Plants used as medicine or invoked for healing are presented.