Hapè: A Sacred Snuff
Hapè (pronounced ha-PAY) is a cleansing, shamanic plant-medicine traditionally used in ceremonies. It is a powdered medicinal herb “snuff” with a base of Amazonian tobacco (also known as mapacho). In addition to the tobacco, Hapé usually includes the alkaline ashes of other plants such as cinnamon, tonka bean, clover, banana peel, or mint. The Hapè that I receive from the tribe we work with is prayed over for three days by their grandmother. It is extremely spiritual and sacred.
I use Hapè at the beginning of a Kambo ceremony to help with grounding. It is a quick and intense feeling when I blow it into your nose, using a Tepi pipe, but the tingling feeling quickly drops from your head to settle into your body. When I have been tense or nervous before Kambo, Hapè has helped to bring a sense of confidence, calm, and awareness. I can also offer Hapè at the end of Kambo to close the ceremony, and it offers the same benefits.
The act of receiving and administering Hapè is akin to saying a prayer; we “call upon the forces of Nature, the blessing of the animals of the forest, and power of medicinal plants to heal us and give us strength.” It is, therefore, important that we use this substance in a respectful environment focused on healing.
The benefits of Hapè can include the following:
Helps focus and sharpen the mind.
Clears a person or space of distracting, bad energies in preparation for intention setting.
Detoxes both body and mind; clears your energetic field.
Clears sinuses of mucus and bacteria, thereby helping to combat colds and respiratory ailments.
Provides a calming, grounding effect on the emotions that lasts much longer that the initial sensation.
Can be used in conjunction with other treatments for addiction and mental illness.