Huaira Sacha - Chacapa
Leaves, Peru
Chakapa - Shakapa - Wind of the jungle is a kind of palm frond made from the leaves of Pariana stenolemma tutin. It is used bei Shamans in the Amazon basin as a rhythm and healing instrument during Ayahuasca ceremonies. The sound of leaves calms the participants and purifies the energy in the room.
In a healing the Huairasacha – Chacapa is rubbed and rattled over or near the patient’s body while singing an icaro (medicine song). This cleanses, refreshes and harmonises the energy field. The shamans have a wide range of movements which produce different sounds and energies.
Please note:
The Huairasacha or Chacapa will not arrive with you as you see in the first picture. The leaf fronds have travelled a long way and have often been compressed, bent or creased in the packages. When unpacked, the chacapas look something like the second picture.
Unfortunately, we have no influence on these deformations due to transport. However, you can bring the chacapa back into shape: Only if you follow our care instructions will you turn the bundle of leaves into "your" chacapa.
Open the fan, spray the individual leaves with water, carefully clean and smooth them out and then reassemble leaf by leaf to make your own chacapa - tie it well and then finish it off, if you wish, with the handle ribbon provided or your own beautiful textile. Then hang it up to dry in the shade in a place where it can dry slowly, with the leaves facing downwards. It is important that it dries slowly, otherwise the leaves will become brittle. If it dries so slowly that there is a risk of mould, waggle it every now and then to air it.
