The healing practices of a Peruvian shaman.

Summary

The study explores the knowledge of psychotropic plants among the mestizo population in the northwestern Amazon, focusing on Don Emilio Andrade Gómez, a 65-year-old shaman near Iquitos, Peru. It discusses how certain plants are viewed as 'plant teachers' that can impart medicinal knowledge under specific conditions. The research includes findings from fieldwork conducted in 1981 and 1982, during which various specimens of these 'plant teachers' were collected and identified.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The use of psychotropic plants among the mestizo population of the northwestern Amazon has already been the subject of some research. However, the field is far from fully investigated. Practitioners locally known by the name of "vegetalistas" or simply "maestros" have preserved considerable knowledge of plant lore, and still today contribute substantially to the health care of both rural and urban population. The present paper is based on field work with one particular such practitioner, Don Emilio Andrade Gómez, a 65-year-old shaman who lives in the vicinity of Iquitos (3 degrees 50S 73 degrees 15W), northeastern Peru. Some of the basic ideas of his cosmovision are presented. Special attention is given to the concept of "doctor" or "plant teacher", applied to certain plants which are supposed to "teach medicine", if the appropriate conditions of isolation and diet are observed. Some of these plants are added to the hallucinogenic beverage known in the region by the Quéchua name ayahuasca, made from the stem of Banisteriopsis species, and one or several additives. During the period of isolation the spirits of these plants teach the initiate certain melodies or "icaros" that he will later use when practising his shamanistic activities. During field work in 1981 and 1982 the author collected various specimens of "plant teachers", part of which have now been identified, and are also presented.