29 Yawanawa Mulateiro Rapé

Mulateiro Bark in the Yawanawa Tradition

The Yawanawa people of the Gregório River region in Acre, Brazil, have shared their ceremonial plant knowledge with the outside world since their cultural revival in the 1990s. This rapé blend features the ash of the Mulateiro tree (Calycophyllum spruceanum), a towering Amazonian species prized across indigenous communities for its smooth, pale bark. The Yawanawa grind and process Mulateiro according to their own ancestral methods, producing a rapé with an earthy, grounding character that distinguishes it from their better-known Tsunu-based preparations.

Calycophyllum spruceanum: The Mulateiro Tree

Mulateiro grows throughout the western Amazon basin and is one of the few trees that sheds its bark annually, revealing a fresh green layer beneath. Indigenous communities across Acre and Amazonas have used this bark in herbal preparations for generations. In the context of Yawanawa rapé-making, Mulateiro ash provides a softer, smoother foundation compared to the more commonly encountered Tsunu (Platycyamus regnellii). This difference in botanical base creates a distinct ceremonial experience that experienced practitioners recognise immediately.

The Yawanawa prepare their blends accompanied by saites, the ceremonial songs integral to their spiritual practice and their connection to Yuxibu, the great spirit of the forest. Each batch is handcrafted in small quantities, and natural variation in colour and character between batches is inherent to the process.

Stocking Yawanawa Mulateiro

This blend is a versatile addition to any rapé selection. Its approachable character makes it suitable for customers exploring Yawanawa blends for the first time, while experienced practitioners seek it out specifically for the Mulateiro bark distinction. Pair it with Yawanawa Ruma Tsunu and Forca Feminina for a complete Yawanawa lineup. Sourced through direct trade with Yawanawa communities. Glass bottle packaging.