Shipibo Culture:
The Heartbeat of the Amazonian Ayahuasca
Tradition

The Shipibo-Conibo tribe, rooted in the Peruvian Amazon, is central to the Ayahuasca (or «iowaska») tradition, blending ancient wisdom with powerful shamanic practices. Known for their sacred songs, or Icaros, and vibrant art, their culture is deeply connected to nature and spiritual healing. This article explores how Shipibo culture shapes and enriches the Ayahuasca experience, drawing people from around the world to their ancient practices.

The Shipibo tribe, dating back about 3,000 years, is native to the Peruvian Amazon, primarily along the Ucayali River. Today, around 35,000 Shipibo people live in villages along the Ucayali River or in cities like Pucallpa. They still practice traditional customs, like shamanic healing and Ayahuasca ceremonies, and create their unique art. While they remain connected to their roots, they also face modern challenges like limited access to healthcare, education, and job opportunities. To adapt, some Shipibo now offer cultural tourism, sell handmade crafts (with famous «Ayahuasca patterns», and work with groups to protect their land and culture, blending tradition with new ways to support their community. At APL, we work exclusively with indigenous shamans and provide strong support to their communities. Several times a year, we visit their villages to immerse ourselves in their unique traditions and authenticity. Feel free to check our Instagram for more details and photos from these journeys.

If you’d like to support the local village of our shamans, please support our APL Retreats project to help indigenous communities [click here].

The Shipibo people have a profound environmental connection, rooted in their close relationship with the Amazon rainforest. They view nature as a living entity, with every plant, vine, river, and animal holding spiritual significance. This deep respect is reflected in their shamanic practices, which focus on harmonizing with the natural world through the use of medicinal plants, especially Ayahuasca vine. Through their traditions, they continue to honor and protect the rainforest, which is essential to their way of life and cultural identity.

The Shipibo people speak Shipibo-Konibo, an indigenous language belonging to the Panoan language family. It is primarily spoken by Shipibo communities in the Peruvian Amazon, especially along the Ucayali River. While many Shipibo also speak Spanish, particularly younger generations, Shipibo-Konibo remains a vital part of their cultural identity, carrying the tribe's ancestral knowledge and spiritual traditions.

In Shipibo culture, Ayahuasca plays a central role as a sacred plant medicine used for spiritual healing, guidance, and connection to the spirit world. Shipibo shamans, known as Onanya, prepare and conduct Ayahuasca ceremonies that are deeply rooted in their ancestral practices. Through these ceremonies, they use Icaros—sacred songs—to guide participants on inner journeys, believed to cleanse negative energies, reveal insights, and foster personal transformation. Ayahuasca is also seen as a teacher spirit, imparting wisdom and helping the Shipibo maintain their connection to nature and the spiritual dimensions of life.

In Shipibo tradition, Ayahuasca ceremonies are led by a shaman, or Onanya, and typically held at night. Participants drink the Ayahuasca brew (made of Ayahuasca vine and Chacruna plant) and sit in darkness while the shaman sings Icaros—sacred songs that guide and protect them through the experience. These songs connect with the spirit of Ayahuasca, facilitating healing, visions, and spiritual insights. The Onanya supports participants throughout, using ritual and song to maintain a safe, balanced energy within the ceremonial space.

To prepare for an Ayahuasca ceremony, the Shipibo observe a special dieta, or diet, that helps purify the body and mind. This often involves eating a simple, bland diet free from salt, sugar, oils, and spices, while avoiding alcohol, meat, and sexual activity. Participants may also spend time in solitude, meditating or reflecting to set their intentions for the ceremony. The purpose of this preparation is to enhance sensitivity to the Ayahuasca, allowing for a deeper connection with the plant's energy and a more profound healing experience during the ceremony.

At APL, we strive to preserve the classical structure of the traditional Ayahuasca ceremony. For this reason, we work exclusively with indigenous shamans and conduct ceremonies at night in complete darkness. There is no music or instruments involved; only the shaman’s singing and energy guides participants through their experience.

In Shipibo culture, becoming a shaman, or Onanya is a rigorous process that often begins in adolescence and can take many years. The path involves a deep apprenticeship under an experienced shaman, where the apprentice learns about medicinal plants, rituals, and healing techniques. A crucial aspect of this training is the dieta—an extended period of isolation in the jungle, during which the apprentice consumes specific master plants, follows a restricted diet, and abstains from social interaction to purify his body, mind and energy. Through this process, they develop a connection with the plant spirits, particularly Ayahuasca, which is believed to impart wisdom and guidance. Only after years of study, personal transformation, and spiritual growth is an apprentice considered ready to become an Onanya and guide others in their healing journeys.

The Shipibo people are known for their beautiful art, including textiles, pottery, beadwork, body painting, and embroidery. Each piece features unique geometric patterns called kené, inspired by visions from Ayahuasca ceremonies. These patterns symbolize their spiritual beliefs and connection to nature. Using natural dyes, the Shipibo create vibrant patterns on fabrics, pottery, and jewelry, each piece holding special cultural meaning and reflecting their deep-rooted traditions. The shamans we work with often bring traditional handcrafted textiles from their communities when they join us for retreats. This gives participants the opportunity to purchase these unique pieces, allowing the people from their villages to benefit from the retreat even though they don’t travel to Europe. Each piece is lovingly made by members of the tribe, reflecting their rich cultural heritage.