Matsés Nu-nu – Sacred Hunter’s Snuff

Nu-nu is a powerful and time-honored ceremonial snuff used by the Matsés people, an Indigenous Amazonian tribe whose deep connection to the rainforest informs every aspect of their spiritual and physical life. Though often compared to Rapé, Nu-nu is a distinctly different preparation—administered in a very specific ritual context, usually by men, and primarily before hunts or significant ceremonies.

A crucial point to note is the growing rarity of Nu-nu production within the Matsés community. Today, only a few individuals still practice this sacred art, raising important questions about the preservation of this ancestral tradition and its deep cultural significance.

This blend is prepared by two seasoned Matsés hunters who infuse each batch with their focused intention for clarity, inner stillness, and enhanced perception. The result is a medicine used not only for practical hunting purposes but also for spiritual alignment and subtle energetic awakening. The Matsés, also known as the Mayoruna—meaning “river people” in Quechua—are an Indigenous Amazonian tribe with territories spanning the Yavari and Galvez river regions along the Peru–Brazil border. A river called the Yaquerana forms part of this boundary, though to the Matsés, such borders hold no meaning. "We know no borders," they say—reflecting a worldview rooted in the continuity of nature, not political lines. To read a comprehensive article about the Matsés tribe and their spiritual traditions, click here.

Ingredients and Their Significance

Mapacho (Nicotiana rustica):
Mapacho is a wild Amazonian Tabaco known for its strength and high nicotine content—several times more potent than common Tabaco varieties. Used throughout Amazonian spiritual traditions, Mapacho is believed to serve as a bridge between the human and spirit worlds. It purifies, protects, and helps clear energetic imbalances. In the context of Nu-nu, roasted Mapacho leaves form the energetic and visionary foundation of the snuff, delivering a grounding base that holds the spirit of focus and courage. To read a comprehensive article about Mapacho, click here.

Macambo (Theobroma bicolor):
Macambo, also known as “white cacao,” is a lesser-known cousin of the cacao tree. Its large, oval fruits contain edible seeds that are rich in healthy fats and mild stimulants like theobromine. The inner bark of the tree is what is used in Nu-nu preparation. Burned to a fine alkaline ash, Macambo enhances the snuff’s absorption and lends it a cooling, clarifying energetic quality. Symbolically, it is associated with alertness and fluid connection to the forest’s intelligence.

Cacahuilo (Theobroma subincanum):
Another sacred member of the cacao family, Cacahuilo is known among the Matsés for its uplifting and brightening effect. Its bark, like that of Macambo, is reduced to a fine ash to complement the Tabaco’s heaviness. Together, the two ashes balance the preparation—offering a harmonious blend of activation and grounding. While less is known outside the forest about this species, within the Matsés community, it is valued for clearing mental fog and awakening one’s inner guidance.

Ritual Use and Experience

Nu-nu is not self-administered. It is blown into the nostrils of the receiver using a long bamboo tube, a process requiring trust and presence. The experience can be intense: it often causes tearing, physical stillness, or temporary discomfort as energetic channels open and align.

Traditionally, Nu-nu was used before hunts to sharpen vision, increase olfactory sensitivity, and align the hunter with the instincts of animals—particularly the jaguar, a sacred totem for the Matsés. Today, it continues to serve as a tool of introspection, energetic recalibration, and spiritual communion.

Through its powerful slicing effect, Nu-nu sharpens all the senses. Users often describe being able to perceive the subtle fragrances of the deep jungle, as if tuning into the forest's spirit itself. The snuff clears the sinuses and head, supporting energetic and emotional release. It is also used ceremonially during Ayahuasca and Kambo rituals for purification and vision.

Nu-nu carries a distinctly masculine spirit. It brings deep grounding, focused awareness, and an aim of intent—qualities considered vital for the hunter. For those accustomed to grey Rapé types, Nu-nu may require larger doses to achieve the desired strength; the Matsés themselves traditionally use quantities equivalent to a teaspoon per session. At this level, the effects can be deeply meditative and transformative. Due to its fine texture, some powder may reach the back of the throat and induce purging, which is considered part of the cleansing process.

Though Nu-nu is considered a masculine medicine, women may take part in its use during larger communal rituals or healing ceremonies. Its energetic qualities are often seen as focused, linear, and clarifying—symbolic of the hunter's mind and the spirit of presence.

Ingredients: Roasted Mapacho (Nicotiana rustica), ashes of Theobroma bicolor (Macambo), and Theobroma subincanum (Cacahuilo)

Color: Earthy green-khaki
Use: Ritual snuff for grounding, clarity, and enhanced perception
Tradition: Handcrafted by Matsés hunters in Peru, with ceremonial intention

Setting the Standard for Ultra-Fine Rapé

We take great care to reprocess all received stock to ensure the finest quality powder. Often, Rapé arrives with varying levels of fineness due to the lack of professional sieves used by the tribe. To address this, we meticulously sieve all powders to remove rough bits and particles, resulting in a smooth and effective powder at 150-micron fineness. We use laboratory-grade sieves and dehydrating equipment to achieve this quality. This is our standard because it provides the best Rapé experience.

Disclaimer

The information provided above is for historical, educational, and scientific purposes only. It should not be interpreted as a recommendation for the specific use of our products. Any statements about traditional uses are informational. The use and application of our products are the customer's decision and responsibility.

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Other names: Nunu, Nu-Nu

This item is not allowed in the following countries:

Finland