|
1) CALVO, Cesar,The
Three Halves of Ino Moxo: Teachings of the Wizard of the Upper Amazon,
Inner Traditions,
1995:177
ISBN
0892815191
2)
Palero ayahuasquero: Denotes the
specialization of a vegetalista (a shaman who works with the plants) in
working with hard wood trees and Ayahuasca altogether. Thus
anthropologist Luis Eduardo Luna brilliantly comments on
the topic, in his beautiful book
Ayahuasca
Visions
(Luna
1999: 13):
"Although vegetalistas generally
possess a remarkable knowledge of numerous medicinal plants, they tend to
specialize, using one or a few plant teachers as the main tool in
communicating with the spirits, diagnosis and healing illness, divining,
etc. Among vegetalistas we find [...] paleros, who use the
bark of various large trees [...]. But by far, most vegetalistas
practising in the Peruvian Amazon are
ayahuasqueros, specializing in the use of ayahuasca."
3) Banco =
Maestro de todo (i.e. "master of
everything"). The Banco
- which literally means "bench" (see Luna, "bench for the Spirit") - is
at the top of the shamanic hierarchy of vegetalistas in the Peruvian Amazon,
alongiside
the Muraya (or Meraya, for the Shipibos) and the Suni runa.
Bancos are told to be capable of
incredible feats, such as being in different places at the same time, and
shape shifting, transforming themselves into animals. During their shamanic work they are
believed to leave completely the body. Because of that they need at least
a disciple in charge of the protection and control of their physical body
(to prevent spirit/soul loss). The figure of the Banco is
practically disappeared in the Peruvian
Amazon, given the immense hardships of the strict plant diet required to
become a Banco, which - according to
Don Alfredo - is at least of
ten
years in length (being in isolation in deep jungle, without seeing anyone, without touching a woman, without
eating any kind of meat or game, only feeding on green plantains and certain kinds of river fishes, like
the Boquichico). Each Banco had his own style, learnt
through the Ayahuasca, and by fasting and dieting with the teacher
plants for many years without any interruptions. They were special beings
with an enormous power and energy.
Beware of imitations ...!
4)
Huachuma Journeys
with a Maestro Sampedrista-Huachumero.
As part of our unique Ayahuasca healing journey in
Ashi Meraya we offer the option of experiencing a blissful Huachuma
night with a Peruvian maestro Sampedrista.
The ceremony begins at
around 9 pm and might be arranged ONLY as an optional extra - strictly under
request only, on an advance booking basis and always subject to the
availability of the curandero shaman - for confirmed participants
doing the Ayahuasca retreat staying a minimum of two weeks or more.
There are
different ways to prepare the San Pedro cactus: for healing, for cleansing
and for visions. The sacred San Pedro cactus - when prepared for
visionary purposes - is usually cooked between a minimum of 10 hours and a maximum of 12
hours, alongside potent entheogenic Amazonian plants like Chaliponga,
Chacruna, Huambisa, Toe' negro o Toe' blanco and
Mapacho (black jungle tobacco). Please
inquire for details.
|
