El yajé, el purgatorio y la farándula
Antípoda Revista de Antropología y Arqueología 2008 DOI: 10.7440/antipoda6.2008.06 (opens in new tab)
Study at a glance
AI-extracted from the abstract| Characteristics | Theoretical or philosophical paper Peer reviewed |
|---|---|
| Citations | 13 |
| Key points | Argues that the rise of urban ayahuasca consumption in Colombia is driven by media visibility and the endorsement of cultural figures, and that its use is framed as a ritual practice guided by Indigenous shamans. |
Abstract
In recent years, urban consumption of the Indian vine Ayahuasca or Yaje has become quite popular in Colombia amongst a population of urban middleclass people –college students, professional, houseviwes, clerical, whitecollar people, artists, and people of the cultural establishment–. To a great extent, the rise of urban yaje, quite visible in the media, magazines and periodicals for the general public, is the work of prominent musicians and TV people. This essay intends to give an account of the process, and to explain the reasons behind its “ritual” use in a city such as Bogota, under the supervision of Putumayo Indian shamans or “taitas”.