From the Native’s Point of View

The experience of Indigenous people as interest from northern countries in drinking ayahuasca grows has received little attention. Among Shipibo-Konibo, ayahuasca's meaning and value had already shifted by the 1960s. Observing visitors' focus on ayahuasca ingestion, many Shipibo changed their representation of indigeneity to meet those expectations. Six biographies of Indigenous individuals involved in commercializing ayahuasca illustrate diverse related economies. Potential conflicts arise from Amazonian native ontology merging with visitors' expectations. The contemporary ayahuasca ceremony may substitute for former cosmogonical rituals no longer performed. Indigenous specialists face both problems and profits, and they ridicule a legion of apprentice shamans.

Study at a glance

Abstract

Abstract The experience of indigenous people in their confrontation with the growing interest of people from northern countries in drinking ayahuasca has hitherto received little attention. First a brief historical summary is presented in order to show how the use of ayahuasca had already changed its meaning and value among Shipibo-Konibo around the 1960s. Observing that visitors' interests centered on ayahuasca ingestion, many Shipibo shifted their representation of "indigeneity" toward pleasing their expectations. Six sample biographies of indigenous individuals involved in the commercialization of ayahuasca drinking illustrate the diverse economics connected to ayahuasca. Potential conflicts resulting from Amazonian native ontology merging with the visitor's expectations are analyzed. The contemporary "ayahuasca ceremony" may be understood as a substitute for former cosmogonical rituals that are nowadays not performed anymore. Finally, the indigenous specialist's problems and profits are discussed, as well as how they ridicule a legion of "apprentice shamans."