Will the Real Shaman Please Stand Up?

The ayahuasca brew, made from Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis, was adopted very recently by the Matsigenka and Yora (Nahua) indigenous peoples of southern Peru. The Matsigenka had long used Banisteriopsis liana but did not add the Psychotria admixture until the 1950s. The Yora adopted ayahuasca even more recently, after their contact and decimation by contagious diseases beginning in 1985, abandoning previous shamanic substances and rituals. These two case studies show how quickly ayahuasca shamanism can be adopted, suggesting that widespread ayahuasca use even among indigenous populations may be fairly recent. The studies also highlight diversity and dynamism in indigenous practices comparable to differences seen among urban ayahuasca practices.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract The ayahuasca brew (Banisteriopsis caapi and Psychotria viridis) was introduced very recently among the Matsigenka and Yora (Nahua) indigenous people of southern Peru. The Matsigenka used Banisteriopsis liana previously, however they did not learn to add the potent Psychotria admixture in preparing the brew until the 1950s. Introduction of ayahuasca to the Yora (Nahua) was even more recent and drastic. Shortly after their contact and decimation by contagious diseases beginning in 1985, the Yora adopted ayahuasca and abandoned previous shamanic substances and rituals. These two case studies demonstrate how quickly and completely ayahuasca shamanism can be adopted, supporting the idea that widespread ayahuasca use even among indigenous populations may be fairly recent. The studies also attest to diversity and dynamism in indigenous practices on par with the differences observed among various urban ayahuasca practices.