What Is the Kubeua Ayahuasca Tradition?
During a visit to the Kubeua Tribe, a small community not far from Tucan Amazon Lodge, the community leader explained the meaning of their ceremonial drink.
He described it as jaas — an “ancient drink” that, according to their tradition, has existed since the very beginning of the first spiritual world. Passed down from their ancestors, it has remained present “until today.” Other names, such as Alasca and Guasca, carry the same sense of continuity and ancestral connection.
Ritual Use and Meaning
The leader explained that guasca is fermented, alcoholic, and strong, often compared to cachaça. It is not consumed casually, but reserved for one of the most important ceremonies of the year. During this gathering, the entire community participates in a ritual that lasts through the night, with continuous singing and dancing for twenty-four hours inside the maloca, the traditional ceremonial house.
Before drinking, rapé — a traditional snuff — is used to purify and prepare. The drink itself is believed to cleanse, drive away evil spirits, offer protection, and bring different forms of healing. In this way, the ritual combines physical endurance, spiritual intention, and community bonding.
Dosage and Guidance
The drink is always served in small amounts. For those who are new, a single cup is considered enough, while experienced participants may drink up to three. If someone wishes for more, it can be given, but moderation is part of the teaching. What matters most, the leader emphasized, is not the quantity, but the ritual: the music, the movement, and the collective spirit that fills the maloca.
A Living Tradition
For the Kubeua people, this tradition is more than heritage; it is a way of maintaining balance between the human and the spiritual worlds. It is a reminder of how the forest, the community, and the unseen dimensions of life are all connected.
For visitors to the Amazon, hearing these stories provides a glimpse into the depth of indigenous culture — an opportunity to learn with respect and humility. The Kubeua ayahuasca tradition is a powerful reminder of how spiritual knowledge is preserved through community and ritual.
For a broader look at how ayahuasca is understood across the Amazon, explore our new post: Ayahuasca in the Amazon.