Kuripe & Tepi – The Sacred Tools of Herbal Snuff Application

Introduction

Kuripe and Tepi are sacred tools deeply embedded in Amazonian shamanic traditions, used for the precise administration of Rapé (Hapé), Nu-nu, and other herbal snuffs. These tools are carefully handcrafted from materials such as wood, bamboo, and bone and are designed to facilitate the delivery of the medicine into the nasal passages, allowing it to work deeply within the body, mind, and spirit.

While Rapé itself holds immense spiritual and medicinal significance, this article focuses on the application techniques, breathwork, and the energetic principles behind the use of Kuripe and Tepi. Understanding how to properly apply the medicine is crucial for those who wish to engage in this practice with intention, precision, and respect. To read a comprehensive article about the use and significance of Rapé, click here.

Kuripe vs. Tepi: Two Different Methods of Application

Kuripe – The Self-Applicator

The Kuripe is a V-shaped pipe designed for self-administration. One end is placed in the nostril, while the other is positioned at the mouth, allowing the user to blow the medicine into their own sinuses with controlled force. Since the user has full control over the dosage and intensity, Kuripe is often used for personal meditative practices, energetic grounding, and deep self-reflection.

Kuripes come in various shapes and sizes, with different tube diameters influencing the strength and quality of the blow. A narrow Kuripe delivers a sharp, concentrated blast, while a wider Kuripe requires more breath volume, creating a more gradual and controlled effect. Some variations, such as double-nostril Kuripes, allow for a simultaneous application to both nostrils, promoting immediate balance and alignment.

Since Kuripe allows for independent practice, it is an ideal tool for those who wish to explore Rapé as a personal ritual, integrating it into moments of introspection, spiritual growth, and energetic clearing.

Tepi – The Ceremonial Blowpipe

The Tepi is a longer blowpipe used when one person administers Rapé to another, creating an energetic exchange between the giver and the receiver. This ceremonial application is more than just a physical act; it is a sacred ritual in which the giver transmits breath, energy, and intention along with the medicine.

Administering Rapé through a Tepi requires focus and presence. The giver places the mouthpiece at their lips, and aligns the other end with the recipient's nostril. A deep inhalation is taken, filling the diaphragm and lungs, followed by a controlled, forceful exhalation that sends the medicine directly into the recipient’s sinuses. The recipient must surrender to the process, allowing the medicine to work as intended.

The application of Rapé through Tepi is known as “Soplada”, which means the transmission of healing energy through breath. The strength of the blow is not just about force but about clarity, focus, and intention. A well-administered application can clear energetic blockages, remove stagnant energy, and align the recipient with their higher self.

Tepis also come in various styles and designs, including double-nostril configurations, which allow for a simultaneous application to both nostrils, intensifying the experience and ensuring an even energetic distribution.

The Art of Blowing & Breathwork Techniques

The effectiveness of Rapé application is not just about the tool but also about the technique used to administer the medicine. Proper breath control enhances the depth, intensity, and transformative power of the experience.

Blowing Techniques for Effective Application

The Rising Blow – A steady breath that starts at a moderate intensity and increases in force toward the end, ensuring the medicine is pushed deep into the sinuses for maximum cleansing and grounding.
The Balanced Blow – A smooth, even exhalation that provides a controlled and measured effect, making it ideal for those who prefer a milder experience.
The Deep Stomach Blow – A technique that involves a deep inhalation into the diaphragm, followed by a forceful exhalation that ensures full absorption of the medicine into the sinus cavities.

Breath Control & Surrender During the Experience

A common challenge during Rapé application is the freeze response, where the recipient experiences a moment of resistance or shock as the medicine enters the sensitive sinus area. This reaction is often linked to subconscious resistance, stored trauma, or emotional blockages. The best way to navigate this experience is through conscious breathwork:

As soon as the body or mind freezes, inhale deeply through the mouth, expanding the chest and belly. Allow the breath to be full and complete, bringing in as much air as possible. Release the breath naturally, without force, allowing it to drop effortlessly with gravity. Repeat consistently until the resistance dissolves.

This simple yet powerful technique prevents energy from becoming trapped and allows the recipient to fully receive the medicine without fear or tension. By breathing deeply and fully releasing resistance, the experience becomes smoother and more profound.

Set & Setting: Creating the Right Environment

Rapé should always be administered in a sacred and distraction-free space, allowing for full presence and integration of the experience. The recipient should be seated and remain an upright position throughout the experience, in a chair, with their spine straight, face forward and their mind centered, and with both feet on the floor.

To deepen the ceremonial experience, one can prepare and purify the space by burning incense, sacred resins, or smudging herbs beforehand, allowing their aromatic smoke to cleanse the energy and set an intentional atmosphere. Incorporating crystals, talismans, or sacred objects can serve as anchors for the session’s intention, reinforcing the spiritual alignment of the practice. The choice of sound or silence plays an important role—one may opt for soft tribal music, drumming, or chanting to invoke a rhythmic, meditative state, or embrace complete stillness, allowing the natural resonance of the experience to unfold without external influence.

Once the Rapé has been administered, it is essential for the recipient to remain still, fully surrendering to the process and allowing the medicine to work through its natural course. Breathing should be done exclusively through the mouth, as even the slightest inhalation through the nose may cause irritation by drawing the powder into the throat and lungs. By maintaining a state of silent observation, one can witness the effects as they unfold, beginning in the head and sinuses before gently cascading downwards—first through the face and neck, then into the heart, abdomen, and finally the legs and feet. This downward movement grounds the energy fully into the body, creating a sense of stability and rootedness. Sitting in a chair with both feet planted on the ground can further enhance this sensation of anchoring and embodiment.

One might perceive this process as a "reverse Kundalini movement", or "incarnation" in which, instead of energy rising upwards toward transcendence, the experience guides the individual deeper into their body, fostering a state of presence, embodiment, and full integration with the physical form.

Post-Application: Clearing & Integration

The medicine works by purging physical, energetic, and emotional blockages, allowing the body to release accumulated tension and impurities. As a natural response, the body will begin expelling mucus and toxins, which should be allowed to flow freely rather than suppressed. Within the first 10 minutes, depending on the variety of Rapé used, a thin, watery mucus may begin to run from the nose. Rather than forcefully clearing it, gently wipe away any excess, but avoid blowing the nose until the experience has fully settled, allowing the medicine to complete its process uninterrupted.

Closure

Snot and mucus should be expelled, not swallowed, as it carries energetic waste out of the system.
Blowing the nose one nostril at a time helps clear the airways.
If discomfort arises, drinking water or herbal tea can aid in grounding and reintegration.
Silence and stillness after the experience allow the effects to integrate more fully.

Conclusion

Kuripe and Tepi are not just tools; they are extensions of a sacred practice, requiring presence, intention, and understanding. Whether using a Kuripe for personal self-application or a Tepi in a ceremonial setting, proper technique ensures a profound and transformative experience.

By integrating breath awareness, surrender, and proper set and setting, one can fully embrace the cleansing, balancing, and grounding effects of Rapé, allowing the medicine to work in its purest and most intentional form. When used with respect and deep understanding, these tools can serve as powerful allies on the path of healing, clarity, and spiritual growth.

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