This green Rapé Apurina Awiry Purus produces a beautiful, yet sometimes mild effect, with the traditional green jungle overtones. The scents of the forest blend together to create one of the finest of Rapés. A deeply pleasant aroma with a fresh and heightened awareness. Apurina generally is made with Awiri, a special green Tabaco that grows wild along the rivers. Because it grows close to the river this Rapé can only be made in the dry season, and for that reason is quite rare and special. The Tabaco is not fermented nor heated to dry and grind it, so it is considered a raw, living Rapé.

Frequent users of the grey Rapé types will most likely find it "unnoticeable" in small quantities. Yet when used in a fresh state of awareness and with a clear channel the Apurina has an intense sharp slicing quality not unlike the Nunu from the Matses tribe. This Rapé has a more flowery scent and literally smells like being in the middle of the jungle. Very opening and deeply subtle. Similar to the other Apurina blends, yet with a more flowery aftertaste.

This Rapé serves as a mild yet intelligent tool for the beginner, or for those that prefer a wild fresh Tabaco Rapé. It of course also blends well with other Tabacos, Rapé or ashes, to create a personal and unique blend. This batch of Apurina is of an extremely fine powder. Origin: Brazil, Acre.

The Apurina make a unique Rapé that differs from most other Amazonian Rapés, as they do not use any ashes or fermented Tabaco in their mixtures. As the Apurina make their Rapé according to an old traditional recipe, they would not share the exact ingredients with us.

This is an extremely fine powder, creamy to the touch. It takes great effort to produce such a fine powder, entirely void of stems, veins, grains and bits, and at a 150 micron fineness. This is our standard because this produces the best Rapé experience. All of our Rapé varieties, be it a genuinely tribal Rapé, Cinza (ashes), or Tabaco powder, we process this to a high standard and consistent fineness, using laboratory grade sieves and milling equipment.

The Apurina tribe consists of approximately 2000 - 4000 members that are distributed over 27 indigenous territories in the Brazilian Amazon around the Purus River. Due to their migratory habits, the Apurina are spread over a large area, and it is hard to estimate precise numbers of their tribe. Every community in a given region of this big tribe has their own social organization. Yet, all Apurini people speak Maipure-Aruak and call themselves ‘Popingaré’ or ‘Kangite’, meaning ‘people’ or ‘humans’ (Facundes 1994). Female tribe members are skilled at making baskets, brooms, and pottery, and also beautiful snuff boxes off snail, metal, and rubber residues and the according rapé blow pipes.

Shamanism is an important part of the Apurina culture. The Apurina shamans work with stones, and heal with a special leaf that they chew – ‘katsoparu’ – and with a lot of snuff that the shaman and other tribe members consume and which they call ‘awire’. For the actual healing, the shaman sucks the illness out of the bodies, often visualized by stones that they extract from their sick bodies. Afterwards, the shaman inserts the stone in his own body and recommends different plant treatments. Another shamanistic way of treating sick people is by dreaming: the shaman’s spirit travels and carries out specific tasks, guided by other animal spirits and the chiefs of the animal spirits – which they consider themselves shamans. Often the shaman’s role is to guide these animal spirits, in order to prevent animals, like snakes or a jaguars from attacking. It is believed that a strong shaman never dies but becomes enchanted and continues his travelling.

Leonel: A Bridge Between Indigenous Traditions and Modern Practices

Leonel, now in his mid-twenties, is a skilled craftsman, father of two, and a recent pharmacology graduate, who has dedicated his life to spiritual practices, indigenous knowledge, and the art of creating traditional medicines. His journey into this world began at the age of 15, when he developed a growing interest in the spiritual traditions of Brazil and its native roots.

In 2011, Leonel was introduced to an important spiritual practice involving sacred plants for the first time. This experience sparked a profound curiosity in the rituals and medicinal plants used by Brazil’s indigenous communities. Throughout 2012, he participated in several ceremonies, where he cultivated a deeper connection to plant-based healing and joined a study group to learn more about traditional songs and rituals, further immersing himself in these ancient traditions.

Later in 2012, during a trip to the stunning Chapada dos Veadeiros, Leonel’s connection with another powerful sacred plant medicine began to deepen. By early 2013, he felt a strong calling to dedicate himself fully to this practice and to explore its healing properties. His growing interest led him to the Fulni-ô tribe from Pernambuco, known for their wisdom in certain plant-based treatments. During a gathering at his study group, Fulni-ô visitors joined the circle, and Leonel felt an instant connection to their culture and knowledge. This marked the beginning of a long-lasting friendship and collaboration.

Later that same year, Leonel had a chance meeting with a well-known producer of sacred medicines and therapist, who was highly respected for his work with healing practices. The two immediately felt a connection, and within a few months, Leonel began an apprenticeship under him, learning the art of traditional medicine preparation. Through this apprenticeship, Leonel mastered ancient recipes passed down from various indigenous communities, and he had the opportunity to assist during ceremonies, deepening his knowledge.

By 2014, after a ceremonial event where members of the Fulni-ô tribe participated, Leonel envisioned creating a closer partnership with the tribe, facilitating cultural exchanges and helping them share their traditional plant-based medicines in wider contexts, including urban areas. He invited members of the tribe to São Paulo, where they could share their traditional knowledge, sell their crafts, and raise awareness about their culture. This partnership created a platform for indigenous tribes to share their knowledge and art, and also allowed Leonel to expand his own understanding of native medicines.

Through his travels and work, Leonel developed close relationships with several other indigenous groups, including the Huni Kuin, Yawanawa, Kariri-Xoco, Katukina, Guarani, Pataxó, and the Huichol people from Mexico. These relationships have been instrumental in deepening his knowledge of traditional medicine preparation and the spiritual significance of each plant and ash used in its making.

Mastering the Art of Traditional Medicine

Today, Leonel is a highly skilled medicine producer, known for his artisanal approach to crafting these sacred blends. He adheres strictly to traditional methods, preparing each batch of medicine by hand with a pilão (wooden mortar and pestle), while singing to the blend. His commitment to the ancestral ways of medicine-making honors the deep spiritual traditions he has learned from the various indigenous tribes.

Despite his respect for tradition, Leonel is open to new combinations and creative blends, always exploring new ways to enhance the healing properties of his medicines. He exclusively uses high-quality ingredients from native sources, ensuring that his products remain authentic to their indigenous origins.

Building a Bridge Between Cultures

Leonel’s mission goes beyond making traditional medicines; his work serves as a cultural bridge, connecting indigenous knowledge with the modern world. He is passionate about opening access to traditional remedies and native crafts not only in Brazil but also internationally. His deep respect for indigenous cultures fuels his desire to facilitate the exchange of ideas and knowledge between native communities and those seeking healing through nature’s wisdom.

His pharmacology studies have focused on ethnobotany, ethnopharmacology, and natural medicine, where he has researched the potential of plants, particularly for treating common health conditions. He is also exploring the development of natural products, such as cosmetics and other plant-based solutions, blending his academic knowledge with the traditional wisdom he has gained through his spiritual and cultural journeys.

A Legacy of Healing

Leonel continues to craft traditional medicines in the same way his ancestors did, ensuring that the essence of the plants remains intact. He views his work as part of a broader effort to preserve indigenous knowledge, while also ensuring that quality remedies are available to those who seek them. His role as a student of plant medicine has led him on a journey of learning and exchange, bringing him in contact with multiple tribes and creating lasting bonds of friendship and collaboration.

Through his dedication to spiritual traditions, his commitment to cultural exchange, and his pharmacological expertise, Leonel has become a respected figure in the world of traditional plant medicine. His work stands as a testament to the power of cross-cultural connections and the enduring wisdom of Brazil’s indigenous tribes.

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