ACS curanderos

The curanderos for this program have been selected because of their commitment to spreading the wisdom of ayahuasca and plant spirit medicine throughout the globe. Their hearts are pure and their desire to heal the world is strong. They believe that many people in other countries are being called to work with the spirit and need guidance as they begin the journey, a journey that the healers of the Amazon Rainforest have been continuing for thousands of years.
	DON GUILLERMO This shipibo ayahuasquero hails from his community near Pucallpa, but he now spends most of his time in Iquitos. An experienced curandero and community advisor, don Guillermo's faith in the science of plant spirit medicine was documented in the famous film, Other Worlds, by talented director Jan Kounen. Having studied his tribal tradition just as his ancestors had for generations, don Guillermo, or Kestembetsa, as he is known in his native shipibo language, represents a long lineage of plant spirit medicine in the Amazon. He will be leading the workshop on Mapacho, Soplaying, and Perfumes.
	DON JUAN A mestizo ayahuasquero who lives on the outskirts of Iquitos, don Juan's grandfather was a samurai who immigrated to Peru. After returning from service in the Vietnam War, where he recieved a purple heart, this unique healer studied with many indigenous tribes throughout the Amazon region. A curandero who has healed everything from cancer, herpes, and AIDS to alcoholism and depression, don Juan has experienced more than most people ever will. He will be leading the workshop on icaros, the healing songs that communicate with the spirits, where he will showcase his beautiful singing voice.
	DON LUCHO A highly respected mestizo curandero from Iquitos with more than 25 years experience, don Lucho is the director and founder of KAPITARI, a non-profit organization dedicated to the study of Amazon biodiversity and the investigation of traditional medicines. The organization aims to educate and capacitate local mestizo and indigenous communities in sustainable land-management practices. Don Lucho is passionate about the conscious reforestation of the jungle, as well as spreading the wisdom of ayahuasca and the countless medicinal plants. He will be leading the workshop on Medicinal Plants at the Allpahuayo Reserve.
	DONA OTHELIA The daughter of indigenous curanderos (both parents were healers), dona Othelia never had a set initiation, for she grew up in the environment of plant spirit medicine from birth, and thus knew the science her entire life. Her entire childhood was an initiation. Othelia's specialty is reading cigarettes, a form of divinatin similar to tea leaves or tarot cards. The way the cigarette burns indicates a great deal. She will be demonstrating this technique and explaining how she incorporates it into her healing practice in the Chakapa workshop. She will also be discussing plant bath preparations, and medicinal plants remedies.
	DON PERCY A young ayahuasquero from the Iquitos area, don Percy is a member of the next generation of Peruvian curanderos. His commitment to studying the science and continuing the development of his relationships with the plant spirits is admirable. He believes in the importance of respecting the traditions of his ancestors, but also understands that the worlds is changing, and that new traditions will be needed to accomodate for new situations. Besides being a commited student and humble follower of the path, don Percy is also an intelligent and well-spoken teacher. He will be leading the workshop on preparing the sacred brew ayahuasca.
Each curandero will give a 45 minute presentation and answer 15 minutes of questions. They will each lead a 4-hour workshop, as well as three ceremonies at off-site locations during seminar. You will attend a workshop with every curandero and will have the opportunity to drink in ceremony with up to three different curanderos of your choice. After you hear the presentations, you will have to sign up for the three ceremonies you'd like to attend during the seminar. The curanderos will also be offering special extended retreat packages after the seminar.