In short
- A tepi is a long, straight applicator. With it, someone else gives you rapé.
- A kuripe is V-shaped. With it, you give yourself rapé.
- Receiving rapé takes trust. Giving rapé takes calm and attention.
- Always ask for consent first, start small and mind hygiene.
- Rapé is for adults only (18+).
Just imagine. You are sitting in a circle. It is quiet. Someone calmly sits down in front of you, with a long, straight applicator in their hand. You look at each other for a moment. You nod. Your breath slows. And then you feel it: someone else's breath, carrying the rapé to you.
That is receiving rapé with a tepi. It feels different from blowing it yourself. You hand something over.
I am Kevin Lorenzini, ceremony leader and founder of Purity Healing. For about eight years I have had a bond with a Huni Kuin village in Acre, in the Brazilian Amazon. In this blog I explain what a tepi is, how it differs from a kuripe and what to pay attention to.
What is a tepi?
A tepi (you say "TEH-pee") is a long, straight applicator for rapé. The giver holds one end at their mouth. The other end goes to the nostril of the receiver. With a calm out-breath, the giver blows the rapé in.
So with a tepi, you always give to someone else. You cannot give yourself rapé with a tepi. For that you need a kuripe.
Tepi and kuripe: the difference
- Who blows: with a kuripe you blow yourself. With a tepi someone else blows.
- The shape: a kuripe is V-shaped and small. A tepi is long and straight.
- The feeling: with a kuripe you stay in control. With a tepi you surrender to someone else's breath.
- The moment: you often use a kuripe alone, at home. A tepi belongs to a shared moment, such as a ceremony or a circle.
Read more about the V-shaped applicator in The kuripe: the rapé applicator.
Why receiving rapé feels different
For the Huni Kuin, rapé belongs to ceremonies and to attuning to one another. Giving and receiving rapé is something you do together there. It is a gesture of care and trust.
When someone else blows for you, you can focus fully on your own breath and your intention. You don't have to aim and blow at the same time. Many people experience that as calmer. But it also asks something of you: trust. You let someone come very close. That is why it matters who gives you rapé.
Giving rapé with a tepi: what to pay attention to
Always ask for consent first
Never give rapé unless the other person truly says yes. Also ask: have you received rapé before? How do you feel right now? Agree on a sign together, for example a raised hand if the other person wants to wait a moment.
Start small
Use a small amount of rapé. About the size of a pea per nostril is enough to start with. You can always give more, but never less.
Blow calmly and evenly
Not hard and not in bursts. One calm, even out-breath. Blowing too hard hurts and makes the moment restless. Place the end calmly at the nostril, not too deep. Then give on the other side. Read more about the breath in The art of blowing.
Mind hygiene
A tepi touches your mouth and someone else's nostril. So clean it between two people, or use a separate tepi for each person. Let it dry well after use.
Stay close afterwards
After the blowing, the other person may get tears, need to sneeze or feel a little nauseous. That is often part of it. Stay nearby. Offer tissues and a glass of water. Don't say too much. Calm is enough.
First time? Preferably receive from someone with experience
Have you never received rapé with a tepi? Then the first time, do it with someone who has experience and whom you trust. That way you feel how it should feel: calm, even and attentive. Afterwards you will also know better how to give it to someone else yourself.
Would you rather work alone? Then a kuripe is the logical choice. Read how to create a calm moment at home in A calm rapé ritual at home in 7 steps.
Safe and with respect
Rapé is a traditional plant preparation for ceremonial and spiritual use. It is not a medicine. All our products are for adults only (18+). Never give rapé to someone who is pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication without having talked to a doctor, or who has used alcohol or drugs. Also read Using rapé safely.
Frequently asked questions about the tepi
What is the difference between a tepi and a kuripe?
With a kuripe you give yourself rapé. It is V-shaped. With a tepi someone else gives you rapé. It is long and straight.
Can I give myself rapé with a tepi?
No. A tepi is meant for giving rapé to someone else. For yourself you use a kuripe.
Can I use one tepi with several people?
Then clean it between two people. Even better is a separate tepi for each person. Let it dry well after use.
How hard should you blow with a tepi?
Calmly and evenly, in one out-breath. Not hard and not in bursts. Always start more gently than you think.
Looking for rapé for your moment, alone or together?
