Walk into any ceremony space and you will see two kinds of pipe on the altar. Both carry the same medicine, but they carry it differently.
The kuripé: for self-application
The kuripé is the small V-shaped pipe. One arm goes to your nostril, the other to your mouth, and you serve yourself. It is the tool of daily practice: morning meditation, a pause in a hard afternoon, a quiet sit before sleep.
Because the breath is your own, you control the strength completely. Most people start here. Our kuripés are hand-carved and decorated by tribal artisans; no two are the same, which is why we sell them by number so you receive the exact piece you chose.
The tepi: for serving another
The tepi is the long pipe, sometimes carved as a serpent. One person holds the medicine end to the receiver’s nostril and blows from the far end. The server’s breath becomes part of the medicine.
A tepi is a relationship. In ceremony, the person serving holds intention for the person receiving, and a skilled server can shape the experience with the rhythm and force of the breath. If you plan to share hapé with a partner, a circle, or clients, a tepi is what you need. Our tepis and snake tepis are handmade by tribes in Peru and Brazil, in limited quantities.
Which one first?
If you are new to hapé, begin with a kuripé. Learn how the medicine feels in your own body before you offer it to anyone else. Many practitioners eventually keep both: the kuripé for their own practice, the tepi for the people they hold.
Caring for your pipe
- Tap out leftover powder after every use and blow a clear breath through the pipe.
- Wipe with a dry cloth. Avoid soaking; most pieces are bone, bamboo, or wood and will crack with moisture.
- Store in a cloth pouch, away from direct sun.
- Some people keep their pipe on their altar between sits. It is a sacred tool; treat it as one.
Browse the full collection of kuripés and tepis.
This article is shared for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Hapé contains tobacco and is for adults 21 and over. Speak with a healthcare professional before working with any plant medicine.
