The Global Attraction of Ayahuasca: Moving away from the Land?

After reading Homan’s article about the Ayahuasca boom and its various impacts on local communities, I felt rather disheartened. Sad. Bittersweet. Bittersweet in the sense that although the practice of consuming ayahuasca is something that has grabbed the attention of tourists from around the globe and supports the local economy, I feel frightened that it is just another indigenous practice that has been taken and disregarded and minimized by the West and therefore has the potential to lose meaning. Homan’s reference and emphasis on the importance of authenticity of ayahuasca shamanism struck me in the sense that it is so important, now more than ever, to respect the land we are given and use it respectfully.

For example, when Homan was referencing the shamans who have become quite wealthy for where they are, being able to buy SUV’s compared to a simple motorcycle that most locals have, it shows me there is a lack of regard for the land and the holistic practices that are held so dear in the Amazonian region. It reminds me of the desire to maximize one’s own opportunities to increase their economic gain, which Homan references that some shamans accuse each other of improper practice to accommodate the need to provide “hallucinogenic imagery” for tourists instead of the initial focus on healing, sorcery, etc. This could also be of reference to Arevalo’s “folkoric shamans” who lack knowledge and use ayahuasca healing improperly to entertain Western visitors. This notes a shift in priority for some, and in turn affects true shamans experiences with ayahuasca that they endured the full process of mastering. Homan notes a hesitancy from local people due to “class perceptions” when it comes to payment now that the consumption of ayahuasca is a booming attraction in ethnotourism. The commodification and modernization of ayahuasca (e.g. fancy lodges to attract tourists) takes away meaning from using the land as our teacher, land as our guide, especially those who are local.

Although I argue this shift in the experience of ayahuasca for local indigenous populations in a relatively negative direction, I do recognize the valuable economic benefits it has brought to communities and having media exposure to those around the world so that they too can experience ayahuasca can be of great advantage both culturally and socially. Lastly, I think it is incredibly important for shamans to uphold authenticity and would hope that their local communities continue to enjoy ayahuasca the way they had before it became a tourist attraction.