RITUAL AND MEDICINAL-PLANTS OF THE ESEEJAS OF THE AMAZONIAN RAIN-FOREST (MADRE-DE-DIOS, PERU)

The Ese'eja is a hunter-fisher-gatherer tribe of Amerindians which occ upies the south-eastern part of Peru. Their culture cannot be disassoc iated from religious beliefs. Disease can be caused by accident, distr action or indolence, or by evil powers. These evil powers come either from the direct action of a harmful shaman or by interactions with the Devil. A description of shamanic practices is given to elucidate the position of health practices in Ese'eja culture, which includes the us e of medicinal and ritual plants. Aspects of ayahuasca (Banisteriopsis caapi (Spruce) Morton, Malpighiaceae) ritual in shaman initiation and in healing rituals are presented. Diagnosis and treatment include inv ocation to the ayahuasca spirit. Plants used as medicine or invoked fo r healing are presented.