From the jungle to the valley: The preparation of the Yage

Abstract

This ethnographic article, part of the monograph "PINTA, PINTA, CURA, CURA, GENTE, GENTE: PRACTICES OF CAMENTSA HEALING," examines the preparation of Yagé, a sacred drink used in healing rituals by the Camentsa indigenous people of the Sibundoy Valley, Colombia. It focuses on the traditional process of curaca Martín Agreda, who transforms the "Yagé bejuco" into a liquid with visionary properties. The study describes the curaca's journey from the Sibundoy Valley to lower Putumayo to acquire Yagé and its preparation in the community. Through a detailed narrative of the journey, the harvest, and the preparation of the concoction, the article highlights the cultural and ritual importance of Yagé, its relationship with other plants, and the challenges faced in preserving this ancestral practice. In addition, it addresses concerns about the decline of the practice among younger generations.