Yawanawá Tonka Rapé – A Blend with Cumaru

Function and Composition

Yawanawá Tonka Rapé is a unique and distinguished non-tribal preparation that combines Sabia Tabaco, Xixá (Pariká) ashes (Sterculia striata), and the aromatic Cumaru / Tonka bean (Dipteryx odorata). This blend follows the traditional Yawanawá Rapé structure but is elevated by the inclusion of Cumaru, which imparts both fragrance and subtle energetic depth. The result is a brownish-grey Rapé that balances potency with comfort, deeply grounding yet also sweet and uplifting.

Energetic and Ceremonial Effects

This Rapé carries a stabilizing and clarifying effect rooted in the traditional Yawanawá combination of Tabaco and Xixá ash, while the Tonka bean adds a gentle, aromatic dimension. The experience begins with sharp clarity, quickly grounding the user, before settling into a state of mindful relaxation. The essence of Cumaru promotes calmness and pleasure, creating a blend that supports meditation, energy clearing, and ceremonial healing alike. Strong enough for seasoned users but accessible for those seeking balance, it embodies both power and comfort.

Plant Ash Spotlight – Xixá (Pariká)

The Xixá tree (Sterculia striata), also known regionally as Pariká or Chichá, is highly esteemed for the pale, robust ash it provides. These ashes are prized for their grounding and stabilising qualities, often said to clear stagnant energies and bring mental focus. In Yawanawá practice, Xixá is chosen when strength and clarity are needed, making it a cornerstone for many ceremonial blends. Its robust yet smooth character harmonises naturally with Sabia Tabaco. To read a comprehensive article on the Pariká ashes, click here.

Tabaco Spotlight – Sabia Corda

Sabia Tabaco is a variety of Nicotiana rustica cultivated in Acre, Brazil. Known for its light yet potent presence, it is often described as more expansive and airy compared with Corda or Moi Tabaco. Sabia is associated with song, dreamwork, and heightened awareness, providing a clear energetic lift without overwhelming heaviness. In this blend, Sabia anchors the Pariká ashes and provides the base upon which Cumaru can reveal its fragrance and subtle energetic qualities. To read a detailed article on the Sabia Tabaco, click here.

Ingredient Spotlight – Tonka (Cumaru / Emburana)

The Tonka bean (Dipteryx odorata), also called Cumaru, is closely related to several Emburana species (Amburana acreana, A. cearensis, A. claudii). Brazil is home to both families, each producing aromatic seeds long valued for their Vanilla- and Almond-like fragrance, derived from the compound Coumarin. The seeds of Dipteryx are long and black, while Amburana seeds are smaller, round, and spotted, yet their scent and traditional use are very similar.

In Amazonian traditions, these seeds have been used to perfume Tabacos, snuff, cigars, and even sweets and desserts. In Rapé, Cumaru or Emburana adds a sweet, earthy, and slightly cooling quality that is both sensory and ceremonial. It is said to foster bodily relaxation, calm pleasure, and mindful presence, uplifting the spirit while anchoring the body. Its inclusion in Yawanawá Tonka Rapé creates a distinctive blend that is at once grounding, clarifying, and aromatic. To read a comprehensive article on the Tonka beans, click here. To read a comprehensive article on the Emburana seeds, click here.

Tribal and Cultural Context

The Yawanawá, the “people of the wild boar”, live along the Gregório River in Acre, Brazil. Rapé — called Rumã in their language — is one of their principal medicines, used for cleansing, focus, and spiritual protection. Tsunu and Pariká are among their most traditional ashes, with Tabaco serving as the central grounding force. The Yawanawá have carefully preserved their knowledge through diets, initiations, and song, and in recent decades women such as Putanny and Hushahu have taken on leading roles in carrying these traditions forward.

Yawanawá Tonka Rapé represents a respectful adaptation of these traditions. While this particular blend is prepared by a non-tribal practitioner, its ingredients are sourced directly from Indigenous communities and prepared in close contact with Yawanawá knowledge keepers. It carries both the grounding clarity of their lineage and the sweet, aromatic dimension of Cumaru, offering a bridge between ancestral wisdom and contemporary ceremonial practice. To read a detailed article on the Yawanawá tribe, click here.

On the Use of Intentions

As with all Rapé blends, the use of this medicine is best approached with presence and respect. It is not a consumer product, nor a stimulant. It is a sacred tool, meant for intentional use, whether in solitary practice or guided ritual. Please read our article on the subject of Intention and Affirmation.

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 an exceptionally 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.

Copyright Notice

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Other names: Cumaru, Yawanawa Tonka, Yawanawa Cumaru.

This item is not allowed in the following countries:

Finland