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

2Universidad Nacional de Colombia – Bogotá.