In southeastern Ecuador, inside the Amazonian Jungle, resides the indigenous people who are known as the Shuar. They are a population who carry a special ancestral knowledge of the rainforest. Historically, the Shuar are also known for their bravery through their resistance to the European exploration of gold and imperialism. The Shuar are very connected to the plants and animals of the jungle. Its vitality remains an important focus for their community. The Uwishin or “Shaman” of the Shuar Culture, are individuals who have dedicated themselves to learning of the ancestral knowledge.
The Shuar use the sacred plants of the rainforest for medical purposes, as well as ceremonial. A hallucinogenic tea called natem, or maikiua, is consumed when an individual seeks the knowledge of the sacred plants, or Arutam, the creator. To have a vision of Arutam in one’s life is a transcendental experience. In some cases, an experience of Arutam can reveal the reason for existence in one’s life. Not only, is Arutam the source of all life, but also an omniscient supernatural being and spiritual state, which can be achieved by the Uwishihn.
The culture of the Uwishin and the Shuar people represent one, which is marked by powerful ancient knowledge and a deep respect for mother earth and community. The sacred plants and waterfalls provide clarity and understanding for their culture. This knowledge can be beneficial to all of humanity, in that it provokes a connection between an individual and the natural world around them.
The ancient knowledge of many indigenous populations has suffered greatly due to policies held by major western powers. Many people might consider some of these practices too esoteric.
However, the ceremonial and medicinal practices of the Shuar are a powerful tool, which can provide individuals with more clarity in their life and in the society in which they live. To the Shuar People, the rainforest is “the lungs of the world”, a powerful place where all the ancient wisdom of their culture is kept.
The Sacred plants of the rainforest have superior healing qualities than those used by conventional western medicine. While they are used to produce visions, they are also used for a myriad of medicinal purposes. An Uwishin continually uses the sacred plants in ceremony to gain deeper understanding throughout his or her life.
The Shuar people are also known for their vitality and tend to live very long lives. It is common for Shuar to live to be 120. The spiritual and medicinal ideologies of the Shuar, illustrate a very healthy community that can be seen as a bridge to the sensibilities that which mankind originally held. A place in which, humans and nature are in tune with one other.
The practices of Uwishin and Shuar reflect a society, which values the ancestral connection with nature and its sacred plants.
Saving the Rainforest
Many Shuar people have dedicated their lives to protecting the rainforest. International oil companies are eager to gain access to oil reserves that are on Shuar land. The shuar are working to protect the rainforest so that more land is set aside for preservation and protection against regional and international corporations.
Tii Antonio is a distinguished member of the Shuar society in Numpain; he has represented the Shuar community before the UN, ORS and other international forums. He points out that, “every minute 50 acres of the Amazonian region are destroyed. This is equivalent to 72,000 acres per day, or a staggering, 26 million acres, every year!”
He aims to establish a laboratory and University, which will research and share the indigenous knowledge of the Shuar culture. In this University, they will share the ancestral knowledge of the sacred plants. These schools will provide valuable information about harvesting plants for biomass cultivation and medicinal purposes.
The information from this school could also be very beneficial for non-Shuar individuals. If successful, it could share ancestral medical knowledge to outsiders, which might be very advantageous to those who are dependent on western medicine. Antonio is continually sharing his knowledge and working towards protecting the rainforest.
Through Antonio’s efforts, Ecuadorian law now protects 77,700 acres of Amazonian rainforest.
The Chicham Foundation
In 2001, as a representative of the Shuar people, Chiriap Ronal Chicham was invited to the United Nations international peoples convention in New York. From a young age his family exposed him to the spiritual practices of the Shuar. At 5 years old, Chicham participated in the ceremony of 5 days, where he traveled to the sacred waterfalls with several Uwsishin.
The Shaur consider the waterfall as the most sacred place for it is the birthplace of Arutam and is where he lives. During this ceremony, Chicham experienced a vision that is called Wimiaku, meaning, “man of vision”.
Through this experience, he became a leader in his community. His mission became that of his elders, to share the ancestral knowledge of his family. In 2001, Chicham moved to the United States, where he continued his work towards sharing the Ancestral Knowledge and preserving the rainforest. A musician and artist, he has performed at many musical and cultural events and is continually driven towards bringing awareness and preservation to the Shuar culture and Amazon rainforest.
Chicham is the leader of the Chicham Foundation, a non-profit that is dedicated to sharing the Shuar message to the world. Their goal is to preserve and protect the Amazon. The Shuar consider themselves the protectors of the rainforest and natural earth, their primary goal is its protection. Through the efforts of Chicham and the Chicham foundation, 45 hectors of Amazonian land has been purchased in Ecuador.
The next phase of work being done by the Chichiam Foundation, is an eco-tourism adventure. Chicham himself will be the guide on a 10-day trip, which will share the Shuar culture and ancestral knowledge to a small group of foreigners. Here, they will experience spiritual ceremonies, musical presentations, river adventures and shaman guides.
The Chicham foundation hopes to build their community and preserve their culture through ecological tourism. The word Chicham means many things for the Shuar; it means the “4 directions” and “the world around us”.
Through this special significance, the word Chicham helps to effectively communicate the Shuar message. Their primary goal is to protect the rainforest, “the lungs of the world”.
The Shuar look to Arutam to provide clarity and wisdom, he is the protector of Mother Nature and the gateway into the spiritual world. Through an experience of Arutam, a Shuar is said to experience the very meaning of Shuar life. In one such experience, a Shuar receives power and strength, which is called, “ame wainkiata”. It means, “this life is for you, enjoy it as you want it”.
Herbalism, The Rainforest and Modern Society
An interest in the rainforest and sacred plants will be very beneficial for every society. The medical properties of sacred plants found in the rainforest can have huge impact on the psychological and physical health of an individual. In today’s world, it seems as though there is often a connection lost in mankind’s relationship with Mother Nature.
Medicinal rainforest plants and shaman culture can provoke a higher spiritual and physical awareness within society. This ancestral knowledge reveals a lifestyle that is in harmony with Mother Nature and produces a happier and healthier life.
If you are interested in learning more about the Shuar culture or going to Ecuador to experience it first hand, please visit www.chicham.com.
Resources:
http://www.minelinks.com/ecuador/arutam.html
http://www.shamanism.ws/shuar/arutam.html
http://www.ratical.org/LifeWeb/Articles/shuar.html
http://freeindependentsun.com/permanomics/why-amazon-herb-company/
