Rapé

The essentials

What is Rapé (Hapé)?

Rapé, also known as Hapé or Rapeh, is a traditional Amazonian preparation with a long history of ceremonial and cultural use among Indigenous peoples of Brazil and other parts of the Amazon rainforest. It is traditionally prepared as a very fine powder using carefully selected forest ingredients and plant ashes, with recipes differing between tribes, families and individual makers.

There is no single type of Rapé. Different Indigenous communities have developed their own recipes, preparation methods and traditions over generations. This is why Rapé from the Huni Kuin, Yawanawá, Nukini, Kuntanawa, Shawadawa and other Amazonian peoples can differ significantly in composition, aroma, texture and ceremonial character.

At La Herba, we focus on authentic Amazonian Rapé sourced from Indigenous makers and communities who continue to preserve these traditions. Our collection includes both well-known traditional blends and less common preparations made with plants such as Tsunu, Murici, Cumaru, Copaíba, Capemba and other botanicals found within the Amazonian ecosystem.

Peoples & plants

Who makes Rapé and what it is made of

Indigenous peoples

Trees, plants & ashes used to make Rapé

Choosing a blend

How do different Rapé blends differ?

For someone discovering Rapé for the first time, the number of available blends can initially seem confusing – our Rapé FAQ answers the most common questions. The main differences usually come from:

Some recipes are connected with particular plants or tribal traditions, while others carry names that refer to their botanical ingredients, maker or cultural background. Because recipes can also vary between individual makers, two blends with similar names are not always identical.

Our approach

Authentic Rapé

La Herba offers a curated collection of Rapé, with a strong focus on provenance, authenticity and respectful sourcing. We work with Amazonian suppliers and Indigenous makers to bring traditional preparations closer to people interested in the cultures, plants and ceremonial traditions of the Amazon.

Our aim is not only to offer different Rapé blends, but also to provide meaningful information about the people and traditions behind them. Throughout our shop and educational articles, you can learn more about individual tribes, botanical ingredients, traditional preparation methods and the cultural history of Rapé.

If you want to know more about Rapé, you can explore the origin and ingredients of each blend – our guide to Rapé intentions and types is a good place to begin. Understanding who prepared it, which tradition it comes from and what plants are used – and the Kuripe and Tepi applicators that belong to it – is one of the best ways to appreciate the diversity of Rapé traditions found across the Amazon.