What Is an Ayahuasca Ceremony in Colombia?
An Ayahuasca ceremony is a traditional gathering in which participants drink a preparation known in Colombia as Yagé, (Ayahuasca+chakruna), The ceremony is guided by a Taita .
The experience may involve periods of silence, songs icaros, introspection, emotional release, changes in perception, symbolic imagery, and deep personal reflection. Every participant experiences the ceremony differently, and here they have emotional, spiritual, or psychological changes.
The purpose of our traditional ceremony is not entertainment. It is approached as a moment of connection, reflection, and respect for ancestral knowledge.
Ayahuasca and Yagé: Are They the Same?
The words Ayahuasca and Yagé are often used to describe similar traditional plant preparations, but the terminology can vary according to the region, community, and cultural tradition.
Always keeping in mind that Yagé is the combination of Ayahuasca and Chacruna. These two plants are always necessary to have the full experience.
In Colombia, the word Yagé is especially common among Indigenous communities in the Amazonian regions, including Putumayo. The preparation, ceremonial songs, rituals, and methods of guidance may differ between traditions and individual practitioners.
For this reason, it is important to understand that there is not only one universal way to conduct an ayahuasca ceremony. Each community may have its own teachings, language, rituals, and ceremonial practices.
Putumayo and the Yagé Tradition
Putumayo is one of the Colombian regions most strongly associated with traditional Yagé practices. Its Indigenous communities have preserved knowledge related to medicinal plants, ceremonial spaces, songs, rituals, and spiritual teachings.
For many communities, Yagé is not merely a substance. It forms part of a broader cultural and spiritual tradition connected to the land, family, community, and ancestral knowledge.
At our retreat, our Taita learned his ancestral knowledge and ceremonial tradition within the Los Pastos community of Putumayo.
Traditional Knowledge and Cultural Respect
Participating in our ceremony requires respect for the people, traditions, and communities who preserve this knowledge.
Participants should avoid treating the experience as a challenge, competition, or form of entertainment or a touristic activity. It is also important to listen to the guidance of the ceremonial team, respect the sacred space, and understand that different traditions may follow different practices.
The Traditional Maloka
Our Maloca is a traditional ceremonial structure used by several Indigenous communities in the Amazon and surrounding regions.
This Maloca may serve as a place for ceremonies, gatherings, teachings, community activities, and spiritual work. Its design and meaning vary between Indigenous peoples.
In a traditional ceremony, the Maloca is treated as a sacred space. Participants are expected to maintain respect, follow the instructions of the ceremonial team, and help preserve a calm and considerate environment.
What Can You Expect From our Ayahuasca Ceremony?
Every person responds differently. Some participants describe experiences involving:
- Deep introspection
- Emotional release
- Personal memories
- Changes in perception
- Symbolic imagery
- A sense of connection with nature and all
- Anwers about personal values or life direction
- Periods of silence and contemplation, understanding.
An ayahuasca ceremony does not guarantee that the experience will be pleasant or easy. Participants should approach it with realistic expectations and understand that the experience can be physically and emotionally demanding. This is because the medicine is often described as a “mirror of your consciousness,” and for this reason, you may sometimes have to confront what you perceive as your own inner “demons” or unresolved aspects of yourself.
