Why Ashi Meraya?
It’s thanks to the inspiring work left by Shipibo writer Don Guillermo Ramirez Guimaraes (“Soi Rahua”) and to the memories of Don Laurencio Ramirez Cairuna – former Shipibo shaman (who apprenticed, as Don Alfredo, with the last of the Shipibo Bancos), writer and storyteller – that we are able to re-awake the spirit of this myth deeply emebedded in the Shipibo culture, and in its shamanic traditions.
”Shipibo Meraya”, Visionary painting by Shipibo Artist Dennis Laurenzio Ramirez Lino
Photo Credit: Laurencio Ramirez Cairuna
We are in the process of developing new, exciting additions to the programme we have, and would love to offer future participants joining our retreats a direct exposure to the Merayas’ rituals.
For those who are not familiar with the word “Meraya” this is the Shipibo version of the mestizo word “Muraya”, and refers to one of the three topmost category of shamans in the Peruvian Amazon, alongside that of the “Banco” and the “Sumiruna”. One could also be a “Banco Meraya”. That of the “Meraya”, in particular, was the specialization of the Shipibos of the middle Ucayali.
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