The Female Ayahuasca: An Analysis of the Effects of Chichaja on Consciousness and its Relationship to Ayahuasca and Other Shamanic Substances

CHICHAJA: THE FEMALE AYAHUASCA Leonardo Rodríguez1 Sonia Patricia Murcia2

Chichaja (Gaultheria insipida) is a plant native to the Andes, used traditionally by indigenous female healers near the Colombian Amazon to prepare a brew with the same name. Chichaja, also known as the “Female Ayahuasca”, is widely used today before or after the consumption of Ayahuasca in Colombian healing settings. Chichaja is an element that perhaps allows distinguishing a particular type of Colombian shamanism.

Despite its importance within Ayahuasca healing

ensemble, Chichaja has been barely studied.

The aim of this presentation is to analyze the effects of Chichaja over consciousness and its relation with Ayahuasca and other shamanic substances (tobacco, yopo, datura). Chichaja alters in different way the consciousness of female and male drinkers, what makes it an interesting object for Psychedelics Studies. This is the hypothesis we defend according to the data collected during ethnological fieldwork started two years ago, which have been conducted in different parts of Colombia, particularly the west Amazon forest. Preliminary results of that fieldwork have been presented during “The Breaking Convention” in April 2011 at Kent University.

1

Research associate Pierre du Bois Foundation, Geneva – Switzerland http://www.fondation-

pierredubois.ch/en/Associate-Researchers/leonardo-perez.html 2

Universidad Nacional de Colombia – Bogotá.