In the Kichwa community of Kuyaloma in the Ecuadorian Amazon
lives the Andi Vargas family. We still live where our elders lived
and where they developed their own customs and beliefs.
We use the knowledge that they gained from mother nature and passed down to us.
Our duty is to practice and preserve this wise knowledge of our elders
from hundreds of years ago by practicing the use of medicinal plants
for physical and spiritual healing, primarily through the use of
Ayahuasca and other medicinal plants.
Feather Crown have also been working with the family
for over three years here in Kuyaloma,
with Don Luis teaching and sharing his own knowledge
with visitors to Napusamai.
don luis andi yachac
At 62 years old, he is a highly respected shaman (Yachac Curaca-wise), with a legacy passed down by his ancestors. Don Luis and his family have also acquired knowledge from 25 leading scholars of traditional medicine from different cultures in this region, Ecuador, and Peru.
For more than 38 years, shaman Don Luis been practicing the use of medicinal plantsof the forest ,to purify the blood in the treatment of diseases,and also cleanse spiritual energy with special ceremonies using essences extracted from the plants of the Amazon.
Don Luis will guide you through your journey as you come to experience the sacred plant of ayahuasca.
doña inés vargas
At the age of 63 years, Doña Inés still works with her husband during Ayahuasca ceremonies. After meeting Dona, you can feel her good energy, her positive energy is important to the preparation of the sacred plant of Ayahuasca. She is also responsible for controlling the strength of the plant and looks after the our guests after the ceremonies. Dona is also very knowledgable on other plants used to clean or remove any negative effects during the healing process.
juan andi vargas
Shaman Juan Andi, son and assistant to Don Luis and Inés. Shaman Juan shares the knowledge and practices of his father. He also obtained much knowledge of his grandparents who taught him from an early age . He also works with other teachers and shamans to learn and get support the work of his family.
The wise teacher vine Ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis Caapi),
a plant known for it´s ancient knowledge, comes from the Amazon forest,
where she grows in preparation for helping every one of us.
They focus the spirits of the forest the inner world, earth, sky
and other stars. This has been used by Amazonian peoples
and cultures for thousands of years
to cleanse and heal the mind, body and soul, while preparing
and increasing positive energy.
The teacher ayahuasca is a very sacred plant,
if you want to learn from it, you should be in peace, faith, peace and balance,
she opens the door to find their inner world and the universe.
The Ayahuasca plant (Banisteriopsis Caapi) is best
when harvested during the afternoon. We humbly ask permssion before
harvesting the Ayahuasca. The plant is cooked in water with
the leaves of the Challypanga plant (Diploterys cabrerana).
The medicine remains at a high heat for 3 to 4 hours,
until we have a high concentration and then the vines
and leaves are removed from the brew.
The remaining medicine is left on a low heat for 30 minutes more
and thereafter is ready for the ceremony.
Come and see for yourself!
also check out…
Want to check out our retreats?
At Napusamai, we offer group and individual Ayahuasca ceremonies. With stays up to 10 days. Find out more about our Retreat Packages, here.
What is Ayahuasca?
Want to know a little more about the sacred vine, Ayahusca. Want to know how it is prepared? Click here.
The Kichwas
Get to know a little more about the Kichwa tribe of Naposamai Ayahuasca Lodge. Plus a little about their culture & cuisine. Check it out here.