Hand-Carved Snake Tepi – Crocodile Wood (Zanthoxylum rhetsa) or Cempaka Wood (Magnolia spp.)

This beautifully hand-carved Snake Tepi, made by our artisan friend in Bali, is sculpted from a single solid piece of wood and infused with deep symbolism. The serpent’s head and tail rest atop the Tepi, positioned in a posture of coiled stillness and quiet readiness. Three carved coils wrap around the central body of the pipe, creating a tactile and visual rhythm. The design leaves both ends of the Tepi clear, ensuring a smooth fit for the mouth and nose, while still making the serpent a strong visual and energetic presence.

The serpent is a sacred figure across many cultures, symbolising rebirth, transformation, healing, and spiritual awakening. Its ability to shed its skin makes it a natural emblem of renewal, while its movement through darkness connects it to the hidden, intuitive, and mystical aspects of self. In shamanic traditions, the snake is often a guide through rites of passage, associated with the rising of Kundalini energy and the release of internal blockages. At once a trickster and a protector, the serpent embodies duality and sacred power, making it a potent symbol for personal and ceremonial journeys.

This Tepi is available in two distinct hardwoods:

Crocodile wood (Zanthoxylum rhetsa) – Pale and fine-grained, it offers a clean, smooth finish and a bright, lightweight feel, well-suited for a clear, refined aesthetic.

Cempaka wood (Magnolia spp.) – With warm golden and honey tones, Cempaka has a soft, approachable energy and slightly larger internal diameter for a fuller, more open airflow.

Both versions feature a medium diameter channel that delivers a steady, grounded blow with moderate to strong airflow, depending on breath technique. The Tepi’s form fits securely in the hand and supports well-aligned, balanced use.

Each piece is lightly polished with natural Coconut oil to preserve the organic texture of the wood and avoid synthetic coatings. As a handmade item, each Tepi is unique and subtle variations in carving, wood tone, and grain ensure your piece carries its own distinct energy and character.

Crocodile wood dimensions: 22 x 4 cm. Opening channel: 6 mm.

Cempaka wood dimensions: 22 x 4 cm. Opening channel: 7 mm.

To read a comprehensive article about Kuripe and Tepi, click here.

Other names: Tepi, blowpipe, applicator for Rapé.