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Page 3 of 4
In taking Carpi, the Hupda firstly see how the world moves, as they say, which means the reason for the creation of the world, how it was done, and the laws which govern its workings. Carpi reveals the movement of all things, why they exist, and the role they play in the great cosmic drama. Under the effects of Carpi everything acquires life. Even a rock or a piece of firewood reveals its true identity. Everything appears as if it were human and that is the hidden aspect of being which is revealed to who drinks Carpi. To obtain knowledge, to be intelligent and have good vision, discernment, it is necessary to take Carpi, to learn from it the true form and meaning of all things.
 In spite of being the same plant, Banisteriopsis caapi, the Hupda distinguish seven different types of Carpi in accord with the maturity of the plant, the part utilized and the general appearance of the vine: if it is smooth, if it has knots, if it is twisted, etc.
The recognized types are the following: - Carpi Ingá
- Carpi Cabeça de Barrigudo
- Carpi Cipó Doce
- Carpi Tripa de Galo
- Carpi Hemodá
- Carpi Kukuda
- Huamp Carpi
Each one has its own specific use; there is one which is drunk to learn, another to give knowledge, another is a stimulant to be taken before work or war, one is used to relate and listen to the tribal myths, and finally, those which are used for dancing at parties and for healing.
To ingest Carpi with the goal of having good visions it is necessary to observe certain procedures. For some days before you cannot eat anything roasted, salted, warm, or food prepared by a menstruating woman. It is necessary to clean the body repeatedly by ingesting an emetic drink, as well as maintaining sexual abstinence.
In keeping with the use for which the vine is being prepared, the plant additives are changed, however, generally the preparation is similar. The vine is scraped and the bark, the only part utilized, is put in a pan of water to cook while the other desired plants are added. As soon as the liquid boils the pan is removed from the fire and left to sit in the sun. The Hupda believe that the sun has an active role in the birth of the Carpi, boiling and cooking it.
Both the preparation and the ingestion of Carpi are realized far from the indiscrete eyes of women and children, otherwise the drinker may get sick.
The vine is cultivated and harvested by the shaman, or by a dancer, who always must be the oldest of his sibling group. The oldest brother brings the vine, tied in a bundle, and drops it at the entrance to the maloca (communal hut) and sings and dances around the vine before its preparation.
In the Dabacouri celebration (ritual exchange between siblings and/or village), the drink is ingested by the dancers so that they will lose their shame, chanting and dancing to meet the expectations of the village. The songs, in these cases, have as their objective the fertility and growth of animals and fruits.
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