This document is a code of ethics compiled by UMIYAC; which is a union, or alliance, of Indigenous healers from 7 different tribes in Colombia. The document summarizes their perspective on the science of Yage healing as it comes face to face with globalization and Western medicine. It clearly lays out the wishes and desires of the Elders as they pertain to the use and misuse of yage, and I really think everyone interested in Ayahuasca should read it all the way through. Not only is it an excellent and novel resource, but it is full of wisdom. As a Westerner who is drawn to Ayahuasca, yet unsure of how to respectfully navigate such waters, I found this to be an encouraging and truly invaluable perspective.

Honestly though, I'm disappointed that for all the buzz surrounding Ayahuasca I've never seen this brought up elsewhere. Disappointed but not surprised. I want to note that UMIYAC is hardly ever brought up in the Western Aya scene and this really shouldn't be the case. Why is it that when I do a google search for "Ayahuasca" the top results are Terence Mckenna, Graham Hancock, Amber Lyon...? I can't find anything representative of traditional leaders unless I deliberately search for it.

This was put together back in 1999. I'd be very interested to see if there's been any kind of follow-up with UMIYAC in the past few years.

Anyways I really can't emphasize it enough; IMO this is a must-read for anyone interested in entheogens, plant medicine, or holistic/community-based approaches to healing.

Thanks for the find Praxis, will definitely give it a read