History of the Shipibo Axeti Nete

Archaeological evidence suggests that the origins of Shipibo Axeti Nete practices lies in the Cumancaya religion of the ninth century AD., meaning that this religion has existed in the region for over 1,000 years. There are indications (the presence of head binding, panpipes, raised beds, and fire fans) that some Shipibo may have experienced contact with the Inca and gained religious influences from this sacred advanced culture.

The evidence for Ayahuasca use in the Amazon basin has been archaeologically dated back to almost 20,000 years based on some preserved serving bowls that were determined to contain the ayahuasca brew.

The Shipibo community now consists of about 35,000 people living in over three hundred villages concentrated in the Pucallpa region and is situated to the north and south of the city of Pucallpa. Shipibo communities are mostly situated along the Río Ucayali and nearby oxbow lakes. The Río Ucayali connects with the Río Marañon to form the Río Amazonas (Amazon River), the longest and largest river in the world.

Similar to the Matis, Mayoruna, Korubo, and Marubo Indians, the Shipibo Indians speak a native language of the Panoan family. Currently most Shipibos speak Spanish as well as their native language. The Shipibo people are primarily artisans, hunters, and fishermen and some practice slash-and-burn agriculture to this day. Primary tools are machetes and spears. Virtually none of the Shipibo villages have electricity.

Despite over 300 years of contact with Europeans and Peruvians and the conversion of many Shipibos to Christianity by missionaries in the 1950’s and 60’s, the Shipibo tribe maintains a strong tribal identity and retains their prehistoric Axeti Nete religion and beliefs. Chief among their religious beliefs is the Ayahuasca ceremony which they believe is used to access healing and knowledge from the plant spirit teachers of the Amazon jungle.