Huni Kuin Rapé – Cumaru

More about Huni Kuin Cumaru Rapé

The Huni Kuin Cumaru Rapé snuff is prepared with Cumaru (Dipteryx odorata)  ashes. According to Huni Kuin indigenous knowledge “Cumaru is a tree that does not rot, as it is ‘very true,’” which is their way of saying that it is one of the hardest woods in the forest. The Huni Kuin also believe that it possesses the wisdom of many enchantments. Her strength associated with spiritual protection and the power to fight off the evil eye. In Portuguese they call it Cumaru Ferro, meaning Cumaru Iron. Iron in this case being a reference to its hardness and weight. In general harder woods make better ashes, there is something in the density of the grain that makes it a strong ash that gives durability and power to the medicine.

Huni Kuin Cumaru Rapé

Dipeteryx odorata has the beautiful Tonka beans that contain a lot of Coumarin and as such provide medicinal effect and great flavour. It is a substance considered magical by the indigenous people. It is used in potions for healing and enchantment. Forest people see Cumaru as a medicine for respiratory problems. They use the bark to make tea. The seeds have many other uses for its great flavour,. Because this Snuff has the ashes and not the seeds or powdered bark it doesn’t have the sweetness of the Coumarin.

Cumaru ash gives the snuff strength. It is quite drying which makes it suitable for breathing problems, but not so much for daily use. Cumaru is in general a medicine for breathing problems. In Rapé the Cumaru is a great medicine for concentration! By the strength of its wood it seems to concentrate the energy of the preparation and as such the mind of the person consecrating it.

More about Rapé…

Use with respect and care; it is a tobacco product and can be habit forming!

https://pib.socioambiental.org/en/Povo:Huni_Kuin_(Kaxinaw%C3%A1)