CATIMBÓ
from Brazil
The Power of Brazilian Shamanism
The magic of smoke
"Go smoke where I command you - for here smokes someone who understands smoking." The idiosyncratic pipes and the typical smoking technique is an essential feature of the Jurema tradition. The "Mestres" are truly experts in interpreting and working with the smoke. Only they know the secret recipes of their herbal mixtures and the correct way of using the pipe.
Garrafada
Healing from the bottle
The Garrafada is a typical Brazilian tradition that originated with the Jesuits. These brought the European theriac to Brazil. The then famous Theriaca Brasilica, which was bottled, was created using Indian medicinal herbs. The indigenous people and later the Catimbó expanded the technique to include a special production and storage of these powerful mixtures. They are typically made during séances, made at specific phases of the moon, and buried for many weeks. Only then do the Garrafadas develop their full power.
The magic of the Earth
The essential rituals of the Catimbó, also called Jurema Sagrada, take place on earth. So-called "Mestres da Jurema", the masters, incorporate in their mediums and establish the connection between heaven and earth. These Mestres have access to the seven sacred cities of the Jurema. They are also great connoisseurs of Indian naturopathy.
Jurema Sagrada
Wine, rattle and the sacred pipe
Jurema Sagrada, Maracá and Catimbó - The wine of the Jurema, the Indian rattle and the whistle made of Jurema wood are the essential tools of the Indian tradition of northeastern Brazil.