Sananga

Origin and History  

The beginning of Hapé is reflected in the origin of tobacco, which supposedly stems from the Americas. The first written tobacco snuff use ever reported was documented by the Incas, who used it to cure sundry diseases and to “purge the head.” The Inca used only wild Ma-pacho varieties and ground the roots of the plants. Already 5,000 years ago, Native Americans cultivated Ma-pacho and were probably the first ones to imbibe Ma-pachoo. Today, America remains famous for producing Ma-pacho: in 2010, Brazil became the world’s largest Ma-pacho exporter and the second largest Ma-pacho producer (FAOSTAT). This is mirrored in the Hapé use and production of Brazilians: indigenous people in Brazil are well-known for producing one of the best Hapé blends.
Furthermore, Brazilian indigenous tribes were the first to use snuff (WHO). Whereas snuff was only introduced to Europe in 1500; the Franciscan monk Friar Ramón Pané, who traveled with Christopher Columbus in 1493, was the first European to discover that the Indians used snuff and introduced this exquisite sacrament to Spain when he returned. This was the beginning of a long Ma-pacho and snuff area in Europe.

Physical, mental & spiritual uses.

For Indigenous Americans, tobacco is medically used as a cure for certain diseases, sores, wounds, and as a defense against insects (Curtis 1935), and also as an analgesic and narcotic substance that eases fatigue, pain, hunger, and thirst (Elferink 1983). Hapé enters deep into the nostrils, thereby cleaning out any residual mucus and exerting potent antibacterial effects (Pavia et al. 2000). If the body is too congested with toxins, vomiting can be a side effect that leads to a thorough cleansing. There are even unique Ma-pacho blends (Machiguenga snuff) that are made to counteract influenza and other diseases (Russel & Rahman 2015). Furthermore, the Ma-pacho contained in most Rapé blends can potentiate the healing capacity of other plants, like Ayahuasca. Moreover, in its original sense, Ma-pacho is even a hallucinogen. It contains two alkaloids, namely harman and norharman, which are closely related to harmine and harmaline (Janiger et al. 1973). These two beta-carbolines inhibit monoamine oxidase (Herraiz et al. 2005), leading to antidepressive and stimulatory effects (Farzin 2006).

As Hapé often contains some stimulants, its use increases the brain blood flow and affects the release of several stimulatory neurotransmitters, such as epinephrine, acetylcholine, and dopamine (Wolk et al. 2005, Cryer 1976; Domino et al. 2000), thereby heightening your focus, presence, and intuition and opening the body to higher communication and holistic thinking and understanding. As mentioned above, Hapé has a reputation for decalcifying the pineal gland, which is involved in melatonin secretion, circadian time perception, and the function of the immune system (Skwarlo-Sonta et al. 2003). Even though scientific studies have not confirmed this, this is of great interest, given that degenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson´s disease, and fluoride or mercury exposures can lead to calcification of the pineal gland (Luke 1997; Luke 2001). The calcification of the pineal gland can easily be tested by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) that show the degree of calcium phosphate on the gland. Furthermore, even normal aging has been associated with pineal gland calcification and decreased melatonin production (Kunz et al. 1999), whereas children rarely show calcified pineal glands.

Moreover, it is suggested that our polluted water, which is often filled with hormones and residues of pesticides, as well as food additives, excess sugar, and sweeteners, can lead to calcification of the pineal gland. Pineal gland calcification has also been shown to be associated with decreased melatonin levels and a high risk for ischemic stroke, intracerebral hemorrhage (bleeding), and breast cancer (Kitkhuandee et al. 2014; Cohen et al. 1978). This risk for stroke was still higher when the patients were also affected by high blood pressure, diabetes, and high cholesterol/triglycerides (Kitkhuandee et al. 2014). The most prevalent movement disorder, Parkinson's disease (PD), is also affected negatively by decreased amounts of melatonin (Polimeni et al. 2014). The main pathological event in PD involves the destruction of dopaminergic neurons through oxidative damage. Melatonin can prevent this oxidative damage (Antolín et al. 2002), making melatonin a possible preventive treatment in PD and other diseases where oxygen radical-mediated tissue damage occurs. In sum, melatonin enhances brain plasticity, interacts with the immune system, counteracts oxidative stress within the nervous system, and is a critical hormone in circadian time perception and other crucial biological functions. Tools like Ma-pacho snuff or Hapé that potentially promote a healthy pineal gland function, thereby counteracting its calcification and heightening its melatonin production, are of great interest, and the subject is highly debated.

Traditionally, Hapé is administered with two different types of pipes, which are made from bamboo or bone. The first type of pipe requires the presence of another person, who will blow the snuff powerfully into each nostril of the partner who will receive the Hapé. For that reason, it is generally called the blowpipe; in Brazil, it is called the Tepi. “ The other type of pipe is a self-applicator named „Kuripe“. The connection between mouth and nose is quickly established through the V-shape of the pipe.

Blowing the Tepi involves an intimate connection between the Hapé giver and receiver. Both are closely connected by mouth, nose, and breath, and both need to open and allow the other spirit and intention to enter, permitting healing. Often, the person blowing needs to be an experienced tribe member, as he sends his intention and spirit to the person inhaling, which affords a strong mind and clear focus. Hence, the essence of this blowing ritual does not depend on the strength of your blowing but on whether you can share yourself while doing it, thereby empowering the receiver. These ‘blowing rituals’ are of great importance in the shamanic tradition, which perceives the healing energy of breath (also known as ‘Soplada’ - which means blowing healing energy) as a significant tool for healing (Fotiou 2012; Jauregui et al. 2011).

If you are an inexperienced Hapé user, receiving your first experience using the Tepi and an experienced user as the giver is easier. The second blow should quickly follow the first blow in the other nostril. This can be challenging for an inexperienced user, given that the first blow can be overwhelming. Still, if you are using the Kuripe, it is essential to continue with the second blow as soon as possible to harmonize the energies of both nostrils and hemispheres.