Papa Gilberto Mahua

Papa Gilberto Mahua was born into a lineage of renowned Shipibo healers. His grandfather, father and earliest ancestors were all respected curanderos, who, Like Gilberto, were initiated into the plant medicine tradition at a very young age. Gilberto completed his first master plant dieta at the age of 11. For eighteen months, Gilberto saw only his father and uncle who were guiding him through the dieta and his two brothers who are also being apprenticed in Amazonian plant medicine. Ayahuasca and Tobacco along with Ayahuma, Bobinsana, Huaira Caspi and Chiric Sanango formed the basis of his initial journey with master plants.
Since that time, Gilberto has accumulated close to 60 year’s experience working in concert with master plants to promote healing in himself and others. He is regarded in his local community along the Ucayali River and throughout the West as a healer of great integrity, wisdom and excellence. Gilberto is revered not only for his experience and expertise but for his commitment to keeping the Shipibo healing traditions alive at a time when their culture faces ever-increasing political and environmental threats.
Gilberto is regarded as a father to his students. He cares deeply about the healing journey of each and every person and brings great compassion and strength to our ceremonies. His kindness and compelling presence coupled with his singular expertise create a container of safety that enables students to truly surrender to the healing process.