Awiry: Tobacco Free (Apurinã)

 
The Apurinã are renowned for this green Awiry snuff, a unique medicine distinct from those of other regional tribes. ‘Awiry’ is both the name of the snuff and the plant from which it is made. This plant grows along the banks of jungle rivers and can only be harvested during the dry season, as it becomes submerged during the wet months. 
 
The Apurinã are the traditional guardians of the Awiry plant, a unique botanical used exclusively in their sacred Rappé. Unlike other blends, this one contains only Awiry, giving it a gentle sweetness and a deeply grounding energy. Awiry holds a sacred place in their cultural cosmology — a bridge to ancestral spirits and the forest’s consciousness.
 
After harvesting, the Awiry is neither fermented nor heated; instead, it is left to dry naturally in the sun, maintaining its rich green colour. It is then finely ground once dry. The Awiry is not mixed with any other ashes; only the ground plant material is used, resulting in a grounding, refreshing, and vibrant experience.
 
While most indigenous Rappé  is self-administered with a Kuripe, or by another person with a Tepi, the Apurinã Awiry is traditionally snorted through a hollow bone or carefully crafted bamboo tube. However, Awiry works well receiving it through a Tepi or a Kuripe as done traditionally other Rappé. This is a rare sacred plant which is directly linked to the rivers of the Amazon. Traditionally it is used daily by all members of the tribe and in ceremony for clarity, grounding, and alignment with nature. The Apurinã people believe that the use of Awiry helps to facilitate communication with the spirit world, promote physical and emotional well-being, and provide protection against negative energies. The practice of using Awiry is an important part of their cultural and spiritual traditions.
 
The Awiry plant is still somewhat of a mystery. Some call it a wild tobacco. However, it is not family to the tobacco and contains no nicotine. Awiry snuff is fresh and alive and is perfect for users wanting to use a non-Mapacho based snuff. It is fresh and invigorating. Enjoy and give gratitude and thanks to the forest and its people, this medicine is a gift that will take you deep into the forest.