– Maestro Arturo sings Shipibo Icaro to elevate energy-
In many Amazonian medicine traditions, Icaros or healing songs are learned melodies passed down from generation to generation and sung by curanderos for different healing and protection purposes according to the ceremonial needs of the moment. For example in the Quechua tradition there are many beautiful melodies that inspire connection with animal and elemental spirits and with divine states of consciousness, that may be shared and learned by all.
In contrast, Icaros in the Shipibo tradition are unique blessings “received” by the maestros from the spirit of the medicine of Ayahuasca and other master plant spirits, that the maestro has “Dieted” with over many years of long, slow and arduous spiritual learning and advancement.
These special gifts of melody and poetry spring from deep spiritual connections forged between the curandero and the plant spirits, and become the sacred tools by which the maestro heals and transmits his/her power and knowledge to the patient’s body, mind and spirit. Knowledge that is often attained through many years of painful struggle, tears and finally courageous triumph over the challenges along this warrior’s path, to achieve the high levels of wisdom, love, compassion and immense technical skill required for true healing capability.
For these reasons, we express our deep gratitude to some of our maestros and maestras for sharing these short previews of their medicine, and we ask that you respect the precious nature of these offerings, and do not copy or distribute them in whole or part without written permission from Caya Shobo Healing Centre.
In gratitude.
Rafael was born into a family of Ayahuasca Curanderos in the Shipibo village of Santa Rosa de Dinamarca, 5 hours journey by riverboat to the south of Pucallpa. Growing up immersed in the world of Ayahuasca, he observed his parents and the men and women of his extended family always working in healing ceremonies and guiding plant dietas. At the age of 18, his curiosity to learn more about this path inspired him to open his first plant dieta, and he has since been learning and dieting with different master plants over the past 15 years.
Meeting Walter you immediately recognize his natural warmth and humility as a person, as well as his impressive capability as an experienced Onánya Maestro healer. His beautiful, lower toned voice and variety of melodic Icaros can transport you to a place of peace and reconciliation with your life’s experiences and your healing path. Walter is always solid in the middle of the storm.
Maestra Maricela is a highly experienced Shipiba Onánya curandera and Raomi herbalist. Born in the Alto Ucayali river village of Roya, south of Pucallpa, her father Nicolas Vardales is a well known Shipibo medicine man with a strong famileal lineage of medicine knowledge. At age 13, in receiving treatment for some serious health issues of her own, Maricela began to learn about the healing properties of Amazonian medicine plants. She continued dieting with different master plants until she started working with Ayahuasca in her early 30’s.
Immersed in the medicine world her entire life, Maestra Lucinda is the eldest daughter of renowned Shipibo Onánya Maestro Pascual Mahua Ochavano, born in the Shipibo village of Paoyhan or ‘Water of the Pearls’ located on the banks of the beautiful Ucayali river, north of Pucallpa. When she was a tiny infant of 4 months old her father opened her first learning dieta to bring her the advanced knowledge of the Noya Rao “Tree of light” of her ancestors.
Orlando also belongs to the famous family Mahua. His great-grandfather Manuel Mahua was renowned as one of the most powerful Onánya shaman in the entire history of the Shipibo tribe. Manuel’s daughter Manuela, grandmother to Orlando, is also a well – known living Onánya Maestra. Manuela brought up Orlando from early childhood and opened his first medicine plant dieta at age 7. 
Fernando Levi, also born in the village of Paoyhan, is the grandson of Pascual Mahua, and, like his father, his grandfather and many generations before him, Fernando has inherited the Shipibo name “Sani Piko” which means “The Great Medicine Men.” This legacy of ancestral knowledge and the discipline Fernando has brought to developing its power within himself is clearly evident in his Icaros, in his medicine and also in his extensive knowledge of master plant dieta for healing and learning.
Francisco (or Pancho) has been working with the Shipibo medicine path since his early 40’s, and is now in his late 60s.
As a teenager, Pablo felt the call of the medicine, but without access to knowledgeable teachers in his own family or community, he pursued his own learning path with Ayahuasca in the way of the ancient Shipibo Maestro Onánya – by entering the jungle alone and following the call of the plants in isolation dieta.
Françoise BOT - January 4, 2022 4:15
I was in Caya Shobo in last December 2021, this was a very deep experience. Entering the subtil consciousness of the healing master plants , feeling the peace coming inside my heart, and feeling the guidance of their wisdom. Receiving “Madre Ayauasca” , then receiving Icaros from Maestro Arturo, Maestro Pedro and Maestro Walter was a benediction and a sacred journey through different patterns to shift. The intelligence of the plant is amazing . The vision and healing transformation power of Maestros magnificent too. The Spirit of Ayauasca and master plants knows what is to heal, much more than our own spirit . Their level of consciousness is so amazingly and highly linked to unconditional love and life energy, that the healing process is on, eventhough we don’t see, don’t understand or do not have words for it . The Maestros are enhancing the process through their divine Icaros , singing to our soul. The healing process is maturing at different levels of our being , and lives . This ancient knowledge is a treasure . I wish I will encounter other amazonian master healing plants, and diet for longer time in the future . This connection to the plant is something that connect us to pure LIFE ENERGY , and we wish to continue the journey , once we are back . Thank you to all Caya Shobo team to allow it to exist now , and to go on with sessions . I am coming back from there , full of Love and Gratitude . And I will come back to Caya Shobo . Thank you also to be the keepers of this tradition , and to offer it in a very safe and secured way . I appreciated that retreat so Much !!