The Legend of Kampu

Long, long time ago, when the forest was still untouched and there were no greedy corporations cutting down the rainforest, poisoning the rivers, selfishly plundering its treasures, and enslaving the indigenous, humans lived in harmony with their environment and the laws of Mother Nature. They took from the forest only what they needed for daily life. They treated everything with great respect and reverence because they knew they were a part of the forest, and every tree, plant, stone, and river was imbued with life. The trees, plants and animals were their ancestors and revered teachers.

One day, the people of the tribe fell severely ill. Kampu, the village Pajé (Portuguese for shaman or medicine man), did everything in his power to help his people. But no ritual, no magic potion, no brew, no ash, no known remedy could ward off the illness. So, the shaman withdrew deep into the forest for several days, fasting, brewing and drinking the sacred Ayahuasca to seek guidance from the spirits of the ancestors.

In an inner vision, the „Mother of the Forest“ appeared to him. In her hands, she held a frog. She showed the Pajé where to find the frog, how to „milk“ its secretion, and how to use this frog medicine. The shaman first applied the knowledge given to him through Ayahuasca to heal himself. Then he returned to his tribe and began to treat the children, women, and men with the frog secretion. Gradually, his sisters and brothers regained their health. From then on, he was revered by his people as Pajé Kampu.

Over the years, the shaman and his healing knowledge became known in other communities and villages. It is said that when the shaman was very old and near the end of his life, he said: “I will help heal diseases” and then transferred his shamanic power and healing knowledge to the frog so that he could continue to serve as a healer for future generations. Since then, the frog has been named after the shaman. And so, to this day, the spirit of Pajé Kampu continues to work in the healing work with the secretion of the Kambo frog.

Photo Artist: Nico Rosenfeld