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Written by The Wraith
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Tuesday, 21 December 1999 |
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Page 8 of 16
Among the Tukano of the Colombian Vaupes, for example, six “kinds” of Ayahuasca or Kahi are recognized. Botanical identification has not yet been possible in all cases, but the “kinds” have definite native names. Kahi-riáma, the strongest, produces auditory hallucinations and announce future events. It is said to cause death if improperly employed.
The second strongest, Méné-kahí-má, reputedly causes visions of green snakes. The bark is used, and it is also said to cause death, unless cautiously taken.
These two “kinds” may not belong to Banisteriopsis or even to the family Malpighiaceae.
The third in strength is called Suána-káhí-má (“Kahi of the red jaguar”), producing visions in red.
Kahi-vai Bucura-rijomá (“Kahi of the monkey head”) causes monkeys to hallucinate and howl.
The weakest of the hallucinogenic “kinds” of Kahi or Ajuwri-kahi-má has little effect but is used in the drink to help the Méné-kahí-má.
All of these “kinds” are referable probably to Banisteriopsis caapi. Kahi-somomá or Kahi-uco (“Kahi that makes you vomit”), a shrub, the leaves of which are added to the drink, an emetic agent, is undoubtedly B. rusbiana, the same plant known among the western Tukanoan Siona of the Colombian Putumayo as Oco-yaje.
Although not so famous as Peyote or the sacred Mexican mushrooms, Ayahuasca has received popular attention because of news articles extolling the so-called telepathic powers of the drink. In fact, in the chemical investigation of Banisteriopsis, the first alkaloid isolated was named telepathine.
The hallucinogen may be prepared in diverse ways. Usually, bark is scraped from freshly harvested pieces of the stem. In the western areas, the bark is boiled for several hours, and the bitter, thick liquid is taken in small doses.
In other localities, the bark is pulverized and then kneaded in cold water; much larger doses must be taken, since it is less concentrated.
The effects of the drink vary according to the method of preparation, the setting in which it is taken, the amount ingested, the number and kinds of admixtures, and the purposes for which it is used, as well as the ceremonial control exercised by the shaman.
Ingestion of Ayahuasca usually induces nausea, dizziness, vomiting, and leads to either an euphoric or an aggressive state.
Frequently the Indian sees overpowering attacks of huge snakes or jaguars. These animals often humiliate him because he is a mere man. The repetitiveness with which snakes and jaguars occur in Ayahuasca visions has intrigued psychologists.
It is understandable that these animals play such a role, since they are the only beings respected and feared by the Indians of the tropical forest; because of their power and stealth, they have assumed a place of primacy in aboriginal religious beliefs.
In many tribes, the shaman becomes a feline during the intoxication, exercising his powers as a cat. Yekwana medicine men mimic the roars of jaguars. Tukano Ayahuasca-takers may experience nightmares of jaguar jaws swallowing them or huge snakes approaching and coiling about their bodies. Snakes in bright colors climb up and down the house posts. Shamans of the Conibo-Shipibo tribe acquire great snakes as personal possessions to defend themselves in supernatural battles against other powerful shamans.
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