10 Days (9 Nights) / 4 Ceremonies

Manuela Mahua, Robertina Mahua, & Américo Mahua Campos

Program Overview

Our Payanti and Cultural Immersion group program is a time of listening, remembering, and rebalancing through immersion in Shipibo-Konibo culture and plant wisdom. In Shipibo-Konibo tradition, payanti refers to the initial process of cleansing and attunement that harmonizes the body and spirit. For those new to this path, or those seeking to re-enter it with intention, this program offers a unique opportunity to connect with the essence of ceremonial work and the culture from which it emerges.

During this 10-day, 9-night offering, you will live close to the land, share in daily routines, and participate in cultural teachings passed down through generations. While there are still restrictions, practices, and ceremonies, payanti allows you to move gently, integrating foundational elements of Shipibo-Konibo healing within a broader context of cultural immersion. You’ll leave not only clearer and more grounded, but with a deeper understanding of the worldview that holds these traditions.

This program is a rare invitation to slow down and receive the wisdom of the forest—not only through the plants, but through language, art, story, and relationship.

Your Guides

Manuela Mahua comes from a long-standing and well-respected family lineage of Shipibo-Konibo healers from the upper and lower Ucayali regions of the Peruvian Amazon. Born in 1947, she began apprenticing with her father at age 13 and now has 60+ years of experience working with her ancestral medicine.

Today she helps and teaches, both Shipibo-Konibo and foreigners alike. She has a vast knowledge and understanding of the natural pharmacy of her land and is very open to sharing it with those who are willing to make the commitment to carry on the tradition.

Manuela is an altruistic, generous, and positive force. She cares deeply for all of her students and provides individual attention and care that only a great-grandmother can give. She embodies her given Shipibo-Konibo name Jakon Rate and truly is a Life-Giving Good Surprise for all who meet and learn with her!

Robertina Mahua is the eldest daughter of the late Pascual Mahua and is a Noyá Ráo maestra who has been working side-by-side with Manuela for the most part of the last 5 years. She’s 67 years old but did not begin her samá path until she was 52.

After decades of witnessing and interacting in the work of her father, uncles, and cousins she finally made her decision. Her principle motivation was to learn how to take care of herself and her family while she received encouragement, instruction, and support from her own father.

She began with two years of dedicated study with only Noyá Ráo and then began samá with Tobí Ráo to begin developing her massage and bone setting skills. She also has strong samá connections with Sémein (Bobinsana), Mókapari (Chiricsanango), Chullachaqui Caspi, and Marosa.

Américo Mahua comes from the Shipibo community of Pahoyan in the Peruvian Amazon. Brother to Robertina Mahua, he belongs to a highly respected lineage of healers, and was trained by his late father, Pascual Mahua, a revered healer and a respected member of his community.

Américo brings decades of experience, humility, and strength to the maloca. He will be primarily working with the groups hosted for our Payanti & Cultural Immersion program.

Registration Notes

Once you click the “Register Now” button, you will be guided to begin your registration, which involves a screening, assessment, and preparation process. This process includes filling out a questionnaire, having an introductory phone call, making an exchange deposit, and scheduling a preparation session.

Once screening and assessment is complete, we require a 50% deposit of the full exchange upfront to reserve your spot. The remainder of your exchange will be due 2 weeks before your arrival date. We will not ask for any deposits whatsoever (and highly recommend that you do not purchase plane tickets) until your assessment is complete and you are fully confirmed in the program.

*If you’re a local Peruvian or from any other part of Latin America and need additional financial support to come study with us, please don’t hesitate to reach out to sama@jakonrate.org and request information about our Scholarship Program.