Hampaya Initiation
Hampaya is an initiation ritual practised by the Huni Kuĩ people to be able to enter onto the path of the Txana.
Txana is the title given by the Huni Kuĩ people to those on the spiritual path who serve as healers, teachers and leaders.
The txana is also a bird, which in English is known as the Yellow-rumped Cacique (scientific name: Cacicus cela). The txana is a very sacred bird and trusted teacher and ally for the Huni Kuĩ people. The txana is a very intelligent, communicative and social bird, living in large families in the trees close to the villages. These birds is known for being masters at imitating the sounds of nature.
The Huni Kuĩ people consider the txana bird an important messenger because it e.g. warns of approaching visitors and weather conditions. They also consider the txana a great learner, teacher and healer because of its ability to learn and communicate what it hears with such ease and precision.
It is for this reason that the Huni Kuĩ invoke and transmit the spirit of this sacred bird through the Hampaya initiation. Huni Kuĩ students, singers, musicians, healers, teachers, and political leaders (and anyone who feels the calling) seek the txana initiation of Hampaya to assist them in their study and work.
In the Hampaya initiation, an experienced Txana (singer/healer), applies a paste made of strong chilli peppers onto the tip of the tongue of the initiate, while praying and invoking the spirit of the txana bird. Through the process, the one being initiated receives the spirit of the txana bird as well as the knowledge of the experienced Txana who is applying the chilli.
The chilli induces a cleansing process that causes salivation, which cleanses the body of energies that interfere with the ability to hear, learn and communicate clearly. Depending on the chilli and the recipient, the process can take approximately 5 to 20 minutes.
After the cleansing it is time to practise the art/skill that one wishes to develop.
During the day, after receiving the initiation, it is important to take care of the baby spirit of the Txana bird that has been planted, by feeding it regularly (snacking lightly throughout the day on natural foods). There is also a diet of 1-3 days (depending on the will of the participant), when it is good to restrict the consumption of salt and sugar.
Check out our VIDEO where Rua Inu tells more about Hampaya.
Price:
Private session: 234€ (inc. 25.5% vat)
As part of a group (min. 3 participants): 123€ (inc. 25.5% vat)
See our event calendar for upcoming opportunities or send us an email at info@enchantedboa.love if you would like to book a private session or organise an event with us.
