Meisie, one of Miguel's granddaughters

The Shuar are proud that they are one of the only tribes in the Americas that has never been conquered by others. Traditionally they have lived in small nucleï of settlements in the Amazonian rainforests of Ecuador and Peru. They love their family-orientated life and value the tranquility and peace that their lifestyle brings.

In the Western world, the Shuar are mostly known as the people of the tsantsa's, or 'shrunken heads'. Whenever an enemy was slain, the skin of the head was removed and shrunk in a special drying process. This was done to aid the spirit of the enemy to pass to a better world and to prevent it to come after you. It also was a source of arutam, which has no equivalent in English language but can be roughly translated as 'spirit of courage'. Acquiring arutam is important for personal development. Although the era of the headhunting wars is over, arutam still plays an important role in Shuar-culture.

The main gift that the Shuar have to give to the world is their notion of how everything is connected. They are very connected to the rainforest and all the plants, animals and minerals in it. And they treat it with the utmost respect, in the same way they want to be treated. For many millenia they have cultivated their relationship with nature, and were thus enable to expand their knowledge on the use of medicinal plants for healing and to expand their knowledge of the human energy field.

The Shuar have always been willing to share their knowledge with those who have been willing to listen. That is why you are very welcome to stay with the Shuar, if you bring an open heart and an open mind.