Powerful cacao from the Colombian Amazon
This powerful Ceremonial Cacao is grown in Putumayo, a diverse and beautiful region bordering the Amazon. Lush with jungle and teeming with wildlife, the people of Putumayo have long been the caretakers of the most sacred of medicines. The lands where this cacao is grown belong to the Siona, Kofan, and Inga peoples, and their traditions have protected the ancestral knowledge and the medicines for centuries. Connect with the spirit of the jungle in your daily rituals, or share in community, this cacao activates our awareness of our unbreakable connection to the great mother earth.
Long before cacao was cultivated and spread throughout the world, the indigenous folks of the Amazon discovered the fruit from a small bush. The tribes learned to utilize cacao, and started trading and sharing via canoes. Eventually, cacao made its way to the Gulf of Mexico and traveled the entire world.
Nestled deep within the lush landscapes of the Amazon rainforest, the tribes of Putumayo have managed to preserve their unique way of life despite the encroachment of modern civilization. With their deep connection to nature and profound wisdom, the Siona, Inga and Cofan people are a paramount example of indigenous resilience and cultural preservation. These tribes possess a deep knowledge of the ecosystem they inhabit. They possess an intimate understanding of the medicinal plants that grow in the rainforest, utilizing them to heal various ailments and maintain their overall well-being. Their extensive knowledge of the rainforest’s biodiversity has earned them the reputation of being guardians of the Amazon.
This cacao is grown by a co-op, composed of 100 families including those of Siona, Cofan and Inga heritage. These are their ancestral lands, lost to the violence, drugs and mining, the people of this land are working hard to leave the past. Cacao is an important part of the process, providing new revenue and opportunities.
The Siona tribe has called the Amazon rainforest home for thousands of years. Their traditional way of life revolves around the belief in a harmonious coexistence with nature and the spirits that inhabit it. We are so grateful to have been able to share and learn from them on a personal level throughout the years. At the heart of the Siona culture lies a profound spirituality that permeates every aspect of their daily lives. The Siona people believe in a close spiritual connection with the jaguar, a symbol of power and wisdom in their mythology. The Jaguar serves as their protector, guiding them through the challenges of life and connecting them to the natural world.
The tribe’s spiritual practices involve rituals, plant medicine ceremonies, and songs, which are passed down from generation to generation. These rituals serve as a conduit for communication with the ancestral spirits and allow the Siona people to express their gratitude and seek guidance for the future.
The Siona tribe’s existence is deeply intertwined with the Amazon rainforest, and they view themselves as its guardians. Recognizing the importance of preserving their ancestral lands, the Siona people have become tireless advocates for environmental conservation.
The story of the Siona tribe serves as a reminder of the importance of preserving indigenous cultures and their ancestral knowledge. As we marvel at the Amazon rainforest’s beauty, it is crucial to recognize and respect the deep connection indigenous communities have with their environment. By supporting efforts to protect indigenous territories and engaging in sustainable tourism practices, we can play a role in ensuring the continued existence and cultural vitality of the Siona tribe and other indigenous communities around the world.
Together, we can celebrate the rich tapestry of human diversity and contribute to the preservation of our shared cultural heritage.
For many years, we have worked closely with the family of the late Taita Juan Yaiguaje. Yaiguaje in the Siona language means “people of the jaguar”. His wisdom, kindness, commitment to his people and his joy for life will always be remembered. We dedicate a portion of each sale to the Origen Colombia Foundation which goes to help the indigenous communities throughout Colombia. For more information, or how you can help, please visit origencolombiafoundation.org.
What is ceremonial cacao?
Ceremonial cacao is an ancient spiritual medicine prepared from the cacao bean, the seed of the sweet fruit of the cacao tree.
Ceremonial-grade cacao is made through a process of fermenting and then sun-drying or lightly toasting the beans. The beans are then de-husked and stone ground into a paste, nothing added, nothing removed. This is important as it means the beans natural fat remains aiding to balance its stimulating effects and make it easier for your body to absorb it over time.
This is cacao in its pure, traditional form, used by ancient civilizations and cultures in ceremonies for generations.
Why drink ceremonial cacao?
Using ceremonial cacao either in a ceremony or as a part of a daily routine is neither intense nor a psychedelic experience, as other plant medicines can be. Rather, cacao gently nudges the heart chakra open, gifting benefits such as emotional embodiment and spiritual connection.
Cacao allows the drinker to quiet the mind and focus on good intentions either for the future or maybe just for the day, momentarily pausing that endless battle between head and heart!
In addition to its subtle entheogenic effects, cacao increases energy levels and concentration, illuminates a pathway to creativity, and balances the male and female energies within the body. Cacao also improves blood-flow and circulation.
Drinking cacao with intention enhances and deepens daily practices like meditation, yoga, and conscious dance.
What makes Origen's cacao special?
All the beans used in Origen ceremonial cacao come to us ready and prepared using long practiced techniques from the Arhuaco Tribe of Colombia’s Sierra Nevada region. This cacao is grown alongside other sacred plants and grown with pure spiritual intentions.The tribe believes that the teachings of their ancestors are shared through their crops and when you drink this cacao in meditation you can connect to the spirits of the ancient Arahuaca, their land, and all their knowledge. The cacao beans are grown and harvested in an ecological and sustainable way in accordance with tribal traditions and practices.We at Origen Cacao pride ourselves not only on our commitment to fair trade but also on the idea that that trade does not solely need to be monetary. We have a close relationship with our growers, and apart from buying our beans from them, they teach us about the sacred ceremonies and methods, expanding our knowledge and we in turn teach them our chocolate making techniques, empowering them with alternative methods of generating income.
How to prepare ceremonial cacao
Apart from the physical preparation of the actual cacao drink itself, time should be taken to focus on intentions and prayers. Some people sing medicine songs during the preparation and serving of ceremonial cacao.
To prepare cacao, grate or cut 1 ounce (Origen’s cacao comes pre-crumbled for convenience) and add it to 4 ounces of boiling water. The amount of cacao can be increased once accustomed to the effects.
If someone has a heart condition or finds themselves to be sensitive to the effects of the cacao, they should start off slowly (¼ ounce of cacao to 4 ounces of water).
While we prefer to drink cacao raw (mixed only with hot water), some people add spices such as cayenne or cinnamon to make it less bitter. This is entirely up to individual preferences.
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