Rapé is traditionally made from finely powdered Nicotiana Rustica tobacco combined with ashes of specific medicinal plants and trees. Far from being recreational, it is considered a spiritual tool designed to cleanse the energetic body and support emotional and physical alignment.

Honoring Ceremony with the Tepi and Kuripe

Integral to the Rapé ritual are the application tools—the Tepi and Kuripe. These tools are not just functional; they are sacred instruments used with prayer and intention.

The Kuripe is designed for self-administration and is often made from bamboo, wood, or bone. With its V-shape, the Kuripe allows a person to blow the Rapé into their own nostrils, initiating their personal journey inward.

The Tepi, by contrast, is used for one-on-one application—typically by a healer, shaman, or guide. The giver uses the long tube to blow the medicine into each nostril of the receiver. The force of the breath, along with the focused intent of the person administering it, becomes part of the healing process.

Rapeh and Hape Tobaco: Different Names, Same Sacred Medicine

You may come across various spellings and forms of this sacred snuff, such as Rapeh or Hape Tobaco. These alternative names reflect the same ancient practice passed down through different tribes. Each tribe creates unique blends based on their local flora and traditional healing knowledge.

Some blends are energizing and clarifying, while others are deeply grounding or emotionally purifying. Many practitioners select their blend depending on the nature of the ceremony or the type of healing needed.

The Fire-Eyed Ally: Sananga

While Rapé works through the breath and the nasal channel, another Amazonian plant ally, Sananga, works through the eyes. Made from the root bark of the Tabernaemontana undulata shrub, Sananga is a powerful eye drop used to enhance vision—not only physical but also spiritual.

The initial sting of Sananga is intense and can last a few minutes. However, many users report immediate mental clarity, emotional release, and a sharpened sense of perception. When combined with Rapé in ceremony, Sananga can clear energy blockages and prepare the body to receive the medicine more effectively.

Buy Rapé With Intention and Responsibility

As Rapé becomes more popular outside its indigenous context, it's crucial to Buy Rapé from ethical sources. True ceremonial blends are prepared with prayer and respect by tribal elders and medicine carriers. Commercializing such sacred medicines without honoring their origins risks disrespecting both the plants and the people who carry this wisdom.

When you Buy Rapé from Sacred Snuff, you’re not only acquiring a powerful tool for healing, but also contributing to the preservation of indigenous traditions and supporting fair trade with tribal communities.

The Yawanawa and the Lineage of Sacred Blends

The Yawanawa tribe of Brazil is one of the most well-known and respected tribes that produce sacred Rapé. With a lineage rich in spiritual and plant medicine traditions, the Yawanawa create Rapé as part of a sacred process involving prayer, fasting, and spiritual discipline.

Their blends are known for their power and depth, often used in long ceremonies or during times of personal transition. Many Western seekers who experience Yawanawa Rapé describe it as deeply transformative, often revealing insights or clearing longstanding energetic blocks.

Tools for Awakening: Modern Use of Traditional Medicine

The use of sacred tools like Kuripe and Tepi has grown in wellness communities, especially among those engaged in yoga, meditation, breathwork, and plant medicine integration. As interest in holistic healing grows, people are realizing that genuine transformation often requires more than herbs and rituals—it requires intention.

This is why approaching medicines like Rapé and Sananga with humility and respect is essential. These are not just tools of the body, but bridges to the spirit and soul. When used properly, they help facilitate personal growth, clear negative energy, and strengthen one's connection to the natural world.

Building a Conscious Relationship with the Medicine

As with any sacred medicine, your relationship with Rapé deepens the more mindfully you approach it. Setting an intention before using Rapé, preparing your space, and working with trusted tools like a Kuripe or Tepi help to create a container for healing.

Each session can be a powerful moment of reconnection—to yourself, to the earth, and to the divine wisdom carried by the plants. Whether you’re using Hape Tobaco for grounding, Sananga for clarity, or a Yawanawa blend for deep spiritual work, the medicine meets you where you are.