Icaros – Healing songs of the shamans

These Icaros are sung by the Shipibo shamans in a traditional Ayahuasca ceremony in the Amazon jungle. They are considered sacred songs and are typically not sung outside of the meloca (ceremonial space.) The icaros are used for many purposes by the shamans but generally they are used to work with and direct the healing powers of the plant spirits.

The following recordings were made in ceremonies conducted at Ani Nii Shobo and Suipino by Master Shaman Roger Lopez (now deceased) and are used with his permission. In some of the recordings more than one shaman will be singing in the ceremony. Our Canadian “drumming Shaman” can also be heard on one of the tracks.