Tepi – A Traditional Tool for Sacred Practices
The Tepi is a ceremonial applicator traditionally used by indigenous Amazonian tribes for administering Rapé (Hapé)—a sacred herbal snuff made from finely ground mapacho, ashes, herbs or plants. This tool plays a significant role in spiritual, healing, and shamanic rituals, especially among the Yawanawá, Huni Kuin (Kaxinawá), and Katukina tribes of Brazil and Peru.
Traditional use of tepi
The Tepi applicator is designed to deliver Rapé from one person (the giver) to another (the receiver). It is typically made from bamboo, bone, or wood, sometimes decorated with tribal carvings, beads, feathers or sacred symbols.
Ceremonial & Healing Significance
Among indigenous cultures, the Tepi is used in sacred rituals to:
✔ Cleanse the mind and spirit – Rapé is believed to clear negative thoughts, enhance focus, and deepen meditation.
✔ Balance energy and emotions – Shamans and healers use Tepi to align the body’s energy field.
✔ Connect with nature and the spirit world – Rapé ceremonies often serve as a bridge to deeper communion with ancestral wisdom.
✔ Aid in physical and emotional healing – Indigenous traditions associate Rapé with clearing blockages and promoting inner clarity.
How Tepi is Used in Indigenous Culture
- Preparation of the Space – A ritual setting is created with intent, prayer, and focus before administering Rapé.
- Application with the Tepi – The giver places a small amount of Rapé in the Tepi, positions the pipe against the receiver’s nostril, and blows the snuff forcefully, sending the medicine deep into the sinuses.
- Moment of Integration – The recipient sits in stillness, allowing the effects of the medicine to settle, often experiencing heightened awareness, clarity, or grounding sensations.
- Closing the Ceremony – The session ends with gratitude and prayer, acknowledging the spirit of the medicine and its guidance.
