Chakapas are made from the leaves of the Pariana bush in Peru. In Quechua, it is the word for a shaker or rattle. Curanderos and other shamans in the Peruvian Amazon use chakapas in healing ceremonies as a rhythm and healing instrument. In a healing, the chakapa is rubbed and rattled over or near the patient’s body to capture or move out energy that suppresses the immune system. Once captured in the chakapa, the shaman will blow through the leaves to diffuse into the rainforest where the spirits of the plants absorb and carry out its energy.
Handling the Chakapa: To keep the Chakapas longer it helps to soak them 10 minutes in water and then let them dry in the shade, only the leaves and make sure they are really dry otherwise they can get moldy.
*Will not ship overseas at this time.