When you see rapé incense, think about its origins. The process of its preparation is an eternal ceremony that begins in the jungle. Plants are born there drawing power from the earth and the roots of their ancestors. From the Spirit of the Amazon. This process has been going on for centuries, continuously, in its magical rhythm.
When the plants grow, a shaman, called a Pajé, is also born. Over the years, he has been learning directly from plants and his ancestors about their wisdom and properties. This is magical knowledge and these are the plants who choose the person who is destined for it. They also teach him or her the art of feitio, that is, the making of incense.
When the plants reach maturity and the shaman gains knowledge, they finally meet in the jungle. The next stage of the ceremony begins.
The shaman and his helpers from the community go to the forest to collect the necessary ingredients. Sometimes they gather leaves, flowers, sometimes tree bark, seeds or roots. It is sticky, so before the next stage of the ceremony, it must be dried after being cut into thin slices.
Jungle plants are also dried. They roast in the sun or over a fire or - nowadays - under a light bulb or in a frying pan.
The third ingredient remains to be prepared. This is a white dust that gives the cocoa color to the mix, but above all introduces the element of fire to rapé incense. When the plants are already dried to ashes, they are rubbed with hands and then they are crushed in special mortars to dust. ometimes a board or a flat stone is enough to crush the plants. The simpler the better. Everything is done with hands in order to have direct contact with medicine. These activities are accompanied by music and a special plant-based diet that connects Pajé with the spirit of Grandpa Rapé. The rapé incense making ceremony is a sacred time in the community. The assistants bring the ground plants and the shaman, in a trance, grinds them in a mortar and mixes them with white dust to get the right mixtures. He knows how recognise the right color and taste of incense. He is able to prepare it always in the same proportions. Unless the plants want otherwise. Then he pours the mixture onto a mist-thin fabric and uses his fingertips to sift it into the container. Repeatedly to make the dust velvety and homogeneous. During this ceremony, the Pajé may sing icaros or other songs, may say prayers. He is led by the Spirit and the plants he prepares. Each tribe has its own methods of preparing the medicine, given to them by their ancestors. In these methods lie their roots and tribal identity.
Rapé incense is repeatedly passed through the fabric and every smallest pollen is reverently placed in the container.
Everything flows faster now. Rapé comes to you when it wants and is needed. Rapé is the strength of the forest and the strength of the Serpent according to the NOKE KOI tribe. Therefore, it is the best to use it in the bosom of nature, so that the plant spirit can connect with the environment where you live. So, remember what this rapé incense has gone through to be with you. Honor and thank her and accept her blessing.
Dora Rosłońska
Jungle plants are also dried. They roast in the sun or over a fire or – nowadays – under a light bulb or in a frying pan.
The third ingredient remains to be prepared. This is a white dust that gives the cocoa color to the mix, but above all introduces the element of fire to rapé. When the plants are already dried to ashes, they are rubbed with hands and then they are crushed in special mortars to dust. ometimes a board or a flat stone is enough to crush the plants. The simpler the better. Everything is done with hands in order to have direct contact with medicine. These activities are accompanied by music and a special plant-based diet that connects Pajé with the spirit of Grandpa Rapé. The rapé making ceremony is a sacred time in the community. The assistants bring the ground plants and the shaman, in a trance, grinds them in a mortar and mixes them with tobacco and white dust to get the right mixtures. He knows how recognise the right color and taste of medicine. He is able to prepare it always in the same proportions. Unless the plants want otherwise. Then he pours the mixture onto a mist-thin fabric and uses his fingertips to sift it into the container. Repeatedly to make the dust velvety and homogeneous. During this ceremony, the Pajé may sing icaros or other songs, may say prayers. He is led by the Spirit and the plants he prepares. Each tribe has its own methods of preparing the medicine, given to them by their ancestors. In these methods lie their roots and tribal identity.
Rapé is repeatedly passed through the fabric and every smallest pollen is reverently placed in the container.
Everything flows faster now. Rapé comes to you when it wants and is needed. Rapé is the strength of the forest and the strength of the Serpent according to the NOKE KOI tribe. Therefore, it is the best to take it in the bosom of nature, so that the plant spirit can connect with the environment where you live. So, put a heap of medicine on your hand and remember what this rapé has gone through to be with you. Honor and thank her and accept her blessing.
Dora Rosłońska