Yawanawa Tsunu Classic - One of the Original Blends That Traveled Far

This is not just a Rapé. It is a piece of history. Yawanawa Tsunu Classic was among the very first blends carried beyond the forest by travelers returning from Ayahuasca ceremonies and Yawanawa festivals. Long before Rapé appeared in online shops, this sacred powder, often shared in reused soda bottles, quietly introduced the medicine to a new audience. At the time, few names were known. Tsunu, Força, and Meditação were spoken with reverence. This particular blend helped define that early era. Its legacy continues. Once labeled "Yawanawa Grey", we have renamed this blend "Yawanawa Tsunu Classic" to pay homage to its foundational place in the early sharing of Rapé. It stands as a bridge between worlds—simple, direct, and deeply rooted in Yawanawa tradition.

Ingredients and Their Qualities

This traditional blend is composed of Tsunu ashes and Moi Tabaco, both central to Yawanawa ceremonial preparation. It delivers a sharp, clarifying entry that stabilizes after a few minutes, leaving the practitioner grounded, alert, and subtly energized. The finely powdered texture ensures clean absorption and ease of release. Many users note that while the effect is initially intense, the afterglow is exceptionally smooth. Eyes may tear. Breathing deepens. The medicine moves through quickly and cleanly, leaving behind a sense of lightness and presence.

About the Ashes: Tsunu

Tsunu is a term widely used across Amazonian tribes to refer to the ashes used in Rapé preparations. While it is most commonly associated with Pau Pereira (Platycyamus regnellii) among the Yawanawa, in other communities "Tsunu" may refer to ashes from entirely different trees. This makes the term both universal and variable, carrying a lineage of purpose rather than one fixed botanical identity.

Where Pau Pereira is used, it is known for its thick bark and sacred energy. Tsunu ashes are prized for their grounding, cleansing, and spiritually protective qualities. They bring clarity to the mind and energetic coherence to the field. Often used to prepare for or enhance spiritual journeys, these ashes also support emotional stability and the safe release of tension. In blends like this one, Tsunu provides the structural sharpness and mental lucidity that balances and deepens the Tabaco's grounding embrace. Follow these links for detailed articles about Tsunu Ashes, and specifically Pau Pereira Ashes.

We also offer a different Yawanawa Tsunu blend from another source, which varies slightly in texture and energetic feel. While both carry the name "Tsunu," this Classic version is recognized for its historical lineage and smooth, uplifting post-application clarity.

About the Tabaco: Moi

Tabaco de Moi is a highly respected Brazilian variety of Nicotiana rustica, deeply rooted in Amazonian culture. Also known as Fumo de Rolo, Moi is grown in the upper Juruá region of Acre and traditionally fermented into thick, aromatic ropes. Its leaves are dark, dense, and naturally rich in nicotine, yet the fermentation process renders the Tabaco mild, sweet, and deeply aromatic—often with undertones likened to Chocolate.

Its origin traces back to the early 20th-century rubber boom, when Northeastern migrants introduced Tabaco strains that were later adapted into the Amazonian landscape. Today, Moi is produced with great care: shade-dried, twisted, and fermented for months, resulting in a refined medicine with powerful grounding effects.

In Rapé, Moi is celebrated for its balance. It is strong without being harsh, aromatic without being overwhelming. When paired with Tsunu, it offers a smooth and stabilizing counterpoint to the ash's clarity—creating a blend that is both expansive and centering.

Moi also serves as the preferred base in several traditional Rapés for its ability to deliver subtle strength without flooding the system. It harmonizes easily with other ashes and is ideal for long-term ceremonial use. The powdered form of Moi used in this blend maintains its full-bodied aroma and gentle energetic profile. It is often favored by those seeking a clean, refined Rapé experience that supports deep breath, mental focus, and presence without overstimulation. You can find a comprehensive article about Tabaco de Moi here.

Yawanawa Tribe: Keepers of Sacred Rapé and Shamanic Wisdom

The Yawanawa, meaning "people of the white-lipped peccary," are an Indigenous tribe of approximately 1,300 members residing along the Gregório River in Acre, Brazil. Renowned for their resilience, spiritual depth, and cultural preservation, the Yawanawa hold a sacred bond with the forest and its plant medicines. Their traditions, deeply rooted in shamanism, have been passed down through generations despite past threats of extinction. Central to their spiritual practices is Rapé—called Rume in their language—a sacred snuff used to align body, mind, and spirit.

Rapé plays a central role in Yawanawa spiritual life. Traditionally prepared with finely ground Brazilian Tabacos—such as Sabia, Moi, or Arapiraca—and ashes from sacred trees like Tsunu, it serves as a powerful tool for cleansing, grounding, and connecting with ancestral and forest spirits. Rume is frequently used before or during Ayahuasca ceremonies to enhance spiritual insight, calm the mind, and deepen connection to the medicine. This particular blend, coming from the royal family of the Yawanawa, carries not just ingredients but lineage. A detailed article about the Yawanawa tribe and their traditions can be found here.

Breath Practice

As you sit with this medicine, let the breath become your guide. Inhale fully (through the mouth only), as if saying yes to what arises. Let the exhale drop without force. Feel the weight of your body. The spine tall. The heart forward. This is a breath of presence. A breath of remembrance.

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: Yawanawa Tsunu, Classic Tsunu

This item is not allowed in the following countries:

Finland