BICENTENARY CELEBRATION SERIES
PLANT TEACHERS AYAHUASCA, TOBACCO & THE PURSUIT OF KNOWLEDGE
By JEREMY NARBY
This talk has two authors, it deals with two plants, and brings together two systems of knowledge. It is a collaboration between anthropologist Jeremy Narby and Rafael Chanchari Pizuri, a traditional healer of the Shawi ethnic group of the northern Amazon region of Peru. Rafael is a shaman and teacher, who has contributed significantly to the education of indigenous bilingual teachers of many ethnic groups in the Zungarococha Formabiap school in Iquitos Peru.
It will focus on the Amazonian tradition of healing practices of shamans and their “helpers” – plants with mind altering properties and the system of knowledge that lies behind them.
Although western medicine treats tobacco as a harmful recreational drug, it is considered medicinal by indigenous peoples of the Amazon rainforest. Along with the hallucinogen ayahuasca, tobacco forms a part of treatments designed to heal the body, stimulate the mind, and inspire the soul with visions.
In Plant Teachers, Jeremy and Rafael hold a cross-cultural dialogue that explores the similarities between ayahuasca and tobacco, the role of these plants in indigenous cultures, and the hidden truths they reveal about nature.
The talk invites the audience to a wide-ranging journey through anthropology, botany and biochemistry, while raising tantalising questions about the relationship between science and other ways of knowing.
JEREMY NARBY
Visit Jeremy Narby’s website here.
Jeremy’s decades of research have established him as his generation’s foremost interpreter of Shamanism and traditional healing - through his lectures and books, including The Cosmic Serpent and Intelligence in Nature.
TICKETS
The Anglo Peruvian Society is a charity formed 50 years ago, all proceeds from our events go towards charitable projects to support those in greatest need throughout Peru, and to relieve poverty and sickness among the people of Peru. We are grateful for your continued support.
To attend this Zoom event online, please purchase a ticket through Paypal using the link below. Login details to be sent closer to the event date:
Members: £7
Non-Members: £10
Free of charge for university students, please email us to register: tickets@angloperuviansociety.org
