An application of Ricoeur's hermeneutic theory: Configuations of the shamanic in contemporary ayahuasca narratives

The thesis examines a new genre of literature called 'ayahuasca narratives', written by European and North American neo-shamanists who travel to Peru for ayahuasca tourism. Using Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutic theory, the analysis explores how authors transform their ayahuasca experiences into narrative accounts. This process reveals how mestizo religious practices are represented as shamanic. The study argues that reading such narratives can influence readers' own lived experiences, shaping their understanding of indigenous traditions and personal healing.

Study at a glance

Abstract

The past decade has witnessed a surge of popular interest in the mestizo tradition of ayahuasca, variously referred to as curanderismo, vegetalismo, and/or ‘shamanism’. This interest in Ayahuasca, a psychotropic plant brew, is evidenced by the thriving industry of ayahuasca tourism that exists in Peru. Such ayahuasca ‘tours’ are predominantly attended by European, and North American neo-shamanists who are seeking personal healing and/or knowledge of indigenous traditions. This thesis will analyze, by way of Paul Ricoeur’s hermeneutic theory, the newly emergent genre of neo-shamanic literature which I have named “ayahuasca narratives” in order to ascertain the manner in which the authors configure their ayahuasca experiences into narrative accounts. This will elucidate the manner in which mestizo religious practices are represented as shamanic. The importance of this exercise is found in the ways by which the act of reading narrative accounts can shape the lived experiences of the reader.