The Hãpaya is a sacred initiation ritual of the Huni Kuin people (Acre, Brazil), also called the 'Pepper Baptism'. During the ritual, chili is applied to the tongue and the participant follows a strict purification diet for several days. This diet includes abstaining from sexual activity, kissing and certain foods, whilst focusing on singing and practicing speech.
The purpose of the Hãpaya is to develop memory, oratory and singing skills, with singing understood as a form of prayer and spiritual connection. The ritual invokes the txaná bird, known for mimicking forest sounds so that the initiate absorbs its qualities of expression, clarity and connection to nature. By the end of the diet, the participant is believed to carry the spirit of the txaná, which guides them in learning songs and enhancing their communication.
The diet is guided by Shaman Siriani of the Huni Kuin, who carries the knowledge and lineage of this tradition. As the resident shaman of Finca Putumayo, she holds the process with care and precision, offering direct transmission through her songs, prayers and guidance.
A Deeper Understanding
Following the initiation, the diet unfolds as a period of discipline, simplicity and attentive learning. The participant enters a contained process in which daily life is reduced to its essentials, allowing the teachings of the Hãpaya to settle and integrate.
Each day is guided by the study of icaros and traditional prayers, with a strong emphasis on repetition, listening and refinement. The voice is exercised with care, not only as a tool of expression but as a vessel for carrying intention and connection. Through this focused practice, memory is strengthened and the relationship to sound, rhythm and language becomes more precise and embodied.
The dietary aspect is equally important. Food is kept simple, following a clean, plant-based diet that supports the body in remaining light and receptive. Salt, sugar and stimulants are avoided and water is traditionally not consumed during this period. Instead, a fermented drink known as kaysuma is taken in measured amounts. This preparation, made from natural ingredients, is understood to nourish the body while maintaining the energetic integrity required for the diet.
Periods of silence and rest are observed throughout, allowing space for internalisation and reflection. The combination of physical restriction, vocal practice and prayer creates a focused environment in which sensitivity is heightened and awareness deepens.
In this way, the Hãpaya diet becomes more than a set of practices; it is a process of alignment. Through discipline and devotion, the initiate refines their capacity to listen, to remember and to express with clarity - carrying forward the teachings received within the ritual.
What’s Included in the Retreat
- Nourishing food and drinks based on the Hãpaya diet
- Floral cleansing bath
- 1 Hãpaya ceremony
- Sananga
- Rapé
- Optional one-on-one session with Shaman Siriani
