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Shuar-Jívaro of the Eastern Ecuadorian Jungle
Shuar Jivaro
When Europeans first encountered the Shuar people they quickly formed a picture of a very warlike people who made a practice of shrinking the head of enemies they killed - as if to keep as trophies. They proved very difficult to conquer in their jungle home, even for the Spanish invaders. A process of modern acculturation, mainly carried out by Catholic missionaries, has convinced them to abandon those practices less acceptable to the western mind. however they have held on to their traditional plant medicine beliefs and practices, among which the most familiar is the ceremony of Ayahuasca.
The publication that follows shows pictures that reflect the past of this beautiful people of tropical Ecuador and Peru. Most of the unusual practices in the presentation are no longer practiced by today's Shuar people.
CAUTION: Some of the images may be disturbing - especially to children
Michael J. Harner on the Shuar/Jivaro of the eastern jungle of Ecuador
A traditional Shuar healer
Miguel Chiriap Uwishin
Miguel is a traditional Shuar-healer with extensive knowledge on medicinal plants and on the human energy field. He and his family live near Gualaquiza in the southeastern part of Ecuador. Their house is surrounded by lush vegetation and stands on the edge of the rainforest. See website
