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Rejected the last text change (by 127.0.0.1) and restored revision 2705 by Halbmond
There are several recent religious movements in Brazil which employ Ayahuasca as a sacrament. The eldest of these churches is Santo Daime which was founded in the 1930ies by Raimundo Irineu Serre who blended information obtained from a Peruvian Ayahuascero with components of the Christian faith, combined with his own revelations.<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Daime accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
There are several recent religious movements in Brazil which employ Ayahuasca as a sacrament. The eldest of these churches is Santo Daime which was founded in the 1930ies by Raimundo Irineu Serre who blended information obtained from a Peruvian Ayahuascero with components of the Christian faith, combined with his own revelations.<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Daime accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
Likewise, União do Vegetal (UDV) blends Ayahuasca with Christian topics. UDV came into being during the 1960ies but claims roots from the 10th century B.P.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniao_do_Vegetal accessed 11/02/2012</ref> This church was founded by *** José Gabriel da Costa.
Likewise, União do Vegetal (UDV) blends Ayahuasca with Christian topics. UDV came into being during the 1960ies but claims roots from the 10th century B.P.<ref>http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uniao_do_Vegetal accessed 11/02/2012</ref> This church was founded by José Gabriel da Costa.
Barquinha is a split-off from Santo Daime and was founded in 1945.<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barquinha accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
Barquinha is a split-off from Santo Daime and was founded in 1945.<ref>http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barquinha accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
===Europe and USA===
===Europe and USA===
Meanwhile, these Ayahuasca churches have established branches in Europe and in the USA, although in most countries, at least one of the substances used in Ayahuasca is illegal under the respective Dangerous Drugs Laws. On the other hand, more recent court verdicts in several countries have ruled that religious use of Ayahuasca (due to legal loopholes) was permitted. <ref>e. g. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Daime accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
Meanwhile, these Ayahuasca churches have established branches in Europe and in the USA, although in most countries, at least one of the substances used in Ayahuasca is illegal under the respective Dangerous Drugs Laws. On the other hand, more recent court verdicts in several countries have ruled that religious use of Ayahuasca (due to legal loopholes) was permitted.<ref>e. g. see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Santo_Daime accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
Furthermore, Ayahuasca has been popularised within the Newage scene and promoted as a cure for a multitude of diseases, establishing a tourism to alleged shamans, some of whom are also actively touring various Newage congresses and fairs to promote their services.
Furthermore, Ayahuasca has been popularised within the Newage scene and promoted as a cure for a multitude of diseases, establishing a tourism to alleged shamans, some of whom are also actively touring various Newage congresses and fairs to promote their services.
It must be pointed out that these persons do not happen to be genuine indigenous medicine persons and the vast majority are no member of any indigenous ethnic group. Therefore, they were never trained by indigenous medicine persons and often have a rather limited knowledge about the plants they administer or about the possible effects and cross-effects these may cause, nor do they have much of a knowledge of the indigenous ceremonies they imitate. It is even voiced within the Newage scene that the „shamans“ aiming at a European/US clientele use completely different songs than indigenous medicine persons do.<ref>http://www.christian-raetsch.de/Artikel/Artikel/Ayahuasca.html accessed 11/04/2012</ref>
It must be pointed out that these persons do not happen to be genuine indigenous medicine persons and the vast majority are no member of any indigenous ethnic group. Therefore, they were never trained by indigenous medicine persons and often have a rather limited knowledge about the plants they administer or about the possible effects and cross-effects these may cause, nor do they have much of a knowledge of the indigenous ceremonies they imitate. It is even voiced within the Newage scene that the „shamans“ aiming at a European/US clientele use completely different songs than indigenous medicine persons do.<ref>http://www.christian-raetsch.de/Artikel/Artikel/Ayahuasca.html accessed 11/04/2012</ref>
This already becomes apparent from the biographical information provided on websites promoting plastic shamans using Ayahuasca on their clients: one „shaman“ is introduced as a „fisher, sculptor, and researcher of the Moche culture“<ref name="tingan">http://www.tingan.info/unsere_projekte_files/indi-pro.htm accessed 11/02/2012</ref>, another one as a „musician, sculptor, and curandero (healer) in the tradition of several tribe of Amazonia“<ref name="tingan" />, with the mere mention of the traditions of several ethnic groups being a clear indicator the person is a plastic shaman. Still another vendor's father is said to have been abducted by „savages“ who raised him; the son is said to have inherited „the savageness“ and to have „survived live-or-death fights in the jungle and in the slums of Iquitos and Lima“.<ref name="don-pedro-guerra">http://www.don-pedro-guerra.net abgerufen 02.11.2012</ref> The latter information presumably far more appropriately reflects the real biography. The websites promoting this „shaman“ are particularly characterised by a use of racist stereotypes on indigenous peoples and their alleged savageness and dangerousness<ref name="don-pedro-guerra" /> and e.g. claim the „shaman“ was „more of an Indian than a mestizo“.<ref name="don-pedro-guerra" /> The racism inherent in these claims apparently is not being noticed by site owners and clients, or probably taken for a proof of particular „authenticity“.
This already becomes apparent from the biographical information provided on websites promoting plastic shamans using Ayahuasca on their clients: one „shaman“ is introduced as a „fisher, sculptor, and researcher of the Moche culture“<ref name="tingan">http://www.tingan.info/unsere_projekte_files/indi-pro.htm accessed 11/02/2012</ref>, another one as a „musician, sculptor, and curandero (healer) in the tradition of several tribe of Amazonia“<ref name="tingan" />, with the mere mention of the traditions of several ethnic groups being a clear indicator the person is a plastic shaman. Still another vendor's father is said to have been abducted by „savages“ who raised him; the son is said to have inherited „the savageness“ and to have „survived live-or-death fights in the jungle and in the slums of Iquitos and Lima“.<ref name="don-pedro-guerra">http://www.don-pedro-guerra.net accessed 11/02/2012</ref> The latter information presumably far more appropriately reflects the real biography. The websites promoting this „shaman“ are particularly characterised by a use of racist stereotypes on indigenous peoples and their alleged savageness and dangerousness<ref name="don-pedro-guerra" /> and e.g. claim the „shaman“ was „more of an Indian than a mestizo“.<ref name="don-pedro-guerra" /> The racism inherent in these claims apparently is not being noticed by site owners and clients, or probably taken for a proof of particular „authenticity“.
Another „shaman“ is US-based Erick Gonzalez who also administers further substances like Mescaline and Peyote to his clients. He is also active in Canada, where he is being promoted by [[Ngystle Society]] and also seems to cooperate with [[Psychology of Vision]]. Canadian RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) already in September 2013 issued a warning regarding Gonzalez' various activities.<ref>http://www.thenorthernview.com/news/169704226.html accessed 03/20/2014</ref> Gonzalez claims to be a Maya shaman but his family migrated from Guatemala to California when he was only 11 years of age. The apprenticeship resp. shamanic initiation he claims must therefore rather be seen as a sales pitch; Gonzalez however claims to have been adopted by another plastic shaman by the name of Francisco Jimenez aka Tlakaelel who claimed to be a Toltec (the Toltec have not been around as an ethnic entity for some 800 years, i.e. since pre-Columbian times). Although Gonzalez claims to be Maya, it is assumed that he is of a very distant ancestry or has no ancestry at all.<ref>http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=3420.0 accessed 03/20/2014</ref> Furthermore, the substances employed by Gonzalez, although known by indigenous medicine persons, are not domestic in Guatemala, therefore his having had access to traditional knowledge and use in this respect is to be highly doubted.
Another „shaman“ is US-based Erick Gonzalez who also administers further substances like Mescaline and Peyote to his clients. He is also active in Canada, where he is being promoted by [[Ngystle Society]] and also seems to cooperate with [[Psychology of Vision]]. Canadian RCMP (Royal Canadian Mounted Police) already in September 2013 issued a warning regarding Gonzalez' various activities.<ref>http://www.thenorthernview.com/news/169704226.html accessed 03/20/2014</ref> Gonzalez claims to be a Maya shaman but his family migrated from Guatemala to California when he was only 11 years of age. The apprenticeship resp. shamanic initiation he claims must therefore rather be seen as a sales pitch; Gonzalez however claims to have been adopted by another plastic shaman by the name of Francisco Jimenez aka Tlakaelel who claimed to be a Toltec (the Toltec have not been around as an ethnic entity for some 800 years, i.e. since pre-Columbian times). Although Gonzalez claims to be Maya, it is assumed that he is of a very distant ancestry or has no ancestry at all.<ref>http://www.newagefraud.org/smf/index.php?topic=3420.0 accessed 03/20/2014</ref> Furthermore, the substances employed by Gonzalez, although known by indigenous medicine persons, are not domestic in Guatemala, therefore his having had access to traditional knowledge and use in this respect is to be highly doubted.
Ayahuasca is thus promoted as a cure for a broad variety of diseases, including particularly serious conditions, by the Newage scene. Most often it is propagated as a cure for cancer<ref>e. g. http://www.lonewolfadventure.net/LWA/?p=1137&language=de accessed 11/02/2012</ref> and abuse of substances (drugs, alcohol), which means that a potent hallucinogenic drug is expected to cause detoxification.<ref>e. g. http://www.jaii.de/index.php?view=details&id=845%3Aayahuasca-rituale-in-wienoesterreich&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=98 accessed 11/02/2012</ref> Other diseases mentioned are Parkinson's Syndrome,<ref name="jaii">http://www.jaii.de/index.php?view=details&id=845%3Aayahuasca-rituale-in-wienoesterreich&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=98 accessed 11/02/2012</ref> mental disorders,<ref name="jaii" /> and AIDS.<ref>http://www.lonewolfadventure.net/LWA/?p=1137&language=de accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
Ayahuasca is thus promoted as a cure for a broad variety of diseases, including particularly serious conditions, by the Newage scene. Most often it is propagated as a cure for cancer<ref>e. g. http://www.lonewolfadventure.net/LWA/?p=1137&language=de accessed 11/02/2012</ref> and abuse of substances (drugs, alcohol), which means that a potent hallucinogenic drug is expected to cause detoxification.<ref>e. g. http://www.jaii.de/index.php?view=details&id=845%3Aayahuasca-rituale-in-wienoesterreich&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=98 accessed 11/02/2012</ref> Other diseases mentioned are Parkinson's Syndrome,<ref name="jaii">http://www.jaii.de/index.php?view=details&id=845%3Aayahuasca-rituale-in-wienoesterreich&option=com_eventlist&Itemid=98 accessed 11/02/2012</ref> mental disorders,<ref name="jaii" /> and AIDS.<ref>http://www.lonewolfadventure.net/LWA/?p=1137&language=de accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
A plastic shaman established in the German language market characterises Ayahuasca more or less as a cure-all: ''“With this ceremony, myriads of persons have been healed, even from serious diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, leucemia, breast cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, depression etc.“''<ref name="indianerpfad">http://www.indianerpfad.de/seite74.html abgerufen 04.11.2012</ref> Another vendor claims: ''“In Peru, we specialise in the following diseases: anxieties, alcoholism, arthritis, arthrosis, asthma, auto-immune diseases, high blood pressure, borreliosis, high cholesterine levels, fatigue, depression, diabetes, drug abuse, gastritis, inflammation of joints, abscesses, various skin diseases, heart diseases, hormone problems, dropsy, impotence, infections, inner pressure, cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, menopause, migraine, kidney diseases, rheumatism, thyroid diseases, sterility, stress, problems of substance abuse, insomnia, tumours, tuberculosis.“''<ref>http://www.joven-murayari.de/krankheiten-heilpflanzen/ accessed 11/06/2012</ref> Other vendors are more reluctant about naming precise diseases which, however, tends to make the claims sound even more ambitious: ''“Since Ayahuasca works on all levels, it is possible to heal rare and serious diseases which cannot be cured by conventional remedies.“''<ref>http://www.sankenowe.com/ayahuasca-de.html accessed 11/04/2012</ref>
A plastic shaman established in the German language market characterises Ayahuasca more or less as a cure-all: ''“With this ceremony, myriads of persons have been healed, even from serious diseases like Multiple Sclerosis, ALS, leucemia, breast cancer, liver cancer, thyroid cancer, depression etc.“''<ref name="indianerpfad">http://www.indianerpfad.de/seite74.html accessed 04.11.2012</ref> Another vendor claims: ''“In Peru, we specialise in the following diseases: anxieties, alcoholism, arthritis, arthrosis, asthma, auto-immune diseases, high blood pressure, borreliosis, high cholesterine levels, fatigue, depression, diabetes, drug abuse, gastritis, inflammation of joints, abscesses, various skin diseases, heart diseases, hormone problems, dropsy, impotence, infections, inner pressure, cancer, cirrhosis of the liver, menopause, migraine, kidney diseases, rheumatism, thyroid diseases, sterility, stress, problems of substance abuse, insomnia, tumours, tuberculosis.“''<ref>http://www.joven-murayari.de/krankheiten-heilpflanzen/ accessed 11/06/2012</ref> Other vendors are more reluctant about naming precise diseases which, however, tends to make the claims sound even more ambitious: ''“Since Ayahuasca works on all levels, it is possible to heal rare and serious diseases which cannot be cured by conventional remedies.“''<ref>http://www.sankenowe.com/ayahuasca-de.html accessed 11/04/2012</ref>
„Sein“, a German-language Newage magazine, published an article promoting a Peruvian plastic shaman whose approach reminds of the views of antisemite [[Ryke Geerd Hamer]] and his [[Germanic New Medicine]]: ''“Don Pedro specialises on psychosomatic medicine and also has clients diagnosed with cancer who reject conventional chemotherapy, trusting him instead. I did not witness resp could not check actual healing successes, but a woman from Austria told me her serious liver tumour, in the final stage, was treated in the jungle and was found not to be detectable any longer a year later. Don Pedro views disease foremost as the expression of psychological conflicts, thus his views is not much different from Western psychosomatic approaches“.''<ref>http://www.sein.de/archiv/2005/mai-2005/der-curandero-der-meisterpflanzen--heilung-durch-schamanismus.html accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
„Sein“, a German-language Newage magazine, published an article promoting a Peruvian plastic shaman whose approach reminds of the views of antisemite [[Ryke Geerd Hamer]] and his [[Germanic New Medicine]]: ''“Don Pedro specialises on psychosomatic medicine and also has clients diagnosed with cancer who reject conventional chemotherapy, trusting him instead. I did not witness resp. could not check actual healing successes, but a woman from Austria told me her serious liver tumour, in the final stage, was treated in the jungle and was found not to be detectable any longer a year later. Don Pedro views disease foremost as the expression of psychological conflicts, thus his views is not much different from Western psychosomatic approaches“.''<ref>http://www.sein.de/archiv/2005/mai-2005/der-curandero-der-meisterpflanzen--heilung-durch-schamanismus.html accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
===Vendors and their Prices===
===Vendors and their Prices===
Many of the vendors are of Peruvian nationality and run so-called „retreats“ in their home country. In some cases, a relative is living in Europe, directing clientele towards the family enterprise via an occupation as an alleged shaman. Other vendors are Europeans organising travels to Peru<ref name="otorongo">http://www.otorongo.net/ abgerufen 04.11.2012</ref>; still others mention Ayahuasca ceremonies conducted in the Netherlands.<ref name="indianerpfad" /> Only a small number of vendors dare to openly publish on their websites they are doing Ayahuasca ceremonies.<ref name="schamanismus-tantra">http://www.schamanismus-tantra.at/ayahuasca.html accessed 11/06/2012</ref><ref>http://tatatonga.ch/zeremonialreisen/ecuador-panacocha/index.php accessed 11/06/2012; this website promotes „ceremonies“ taking place in Switzerland as well as travels to Ecuador</ref> With other vendors, it remains unclear whether ceremonies are taking place in German-language regions or in South America. Another strategy is the cover-up: the brew is not given its appropriate name but gets offered by the moniker „Ayaruna“, and respective seminars in Germany and Austria including the consumption of Ayahuasca by participants are being promoted in this way.<ref>http://joven-murayari.de/reisen-nach-peru/ accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
Many of the vendors are of Peruvian nationality and run so-called „retreats“ in their home country. In some cases, a relative is living in Europe, directing clientele towards the family enterprise via an occupation as an alleged shaman. Other vendors are Europeans organising travels to Peru<ref name="otorongo">http://www.otorongo.net/ accessed 04.11.2012</ref>; still others mention Ayahuasca ceremonies conducted in the Netherlands.<ref name="indianerpfad" /> Only a small number of vendors dare to openly publish on their websites they are doing Ayahuasca ceremonies.<ref name="schamanismus-tantra">http://www.schamanismus-tantra.at/ayahuasca.html accessed 11/06/2012</ref><ref>http://tatatonga.ch/zeremonialreisen/ecuador-panacocha/index.php accessed 11/06/2012; this website promotes „ceremonies“ taking place in Switzerland as well as travels to Ecuador</ref> With other vendors, it remains unclear whether ceremonies are taking place in German-language regions or in South America. Another strategy is the cover-up: the brew is not given its appropriate name but gets offered by the moniker „Ayaruna“, and respective seminars in Germany and Austria including the consumption of Ayahuasca by participants are being promoted in this way.<ref>http://joven-murayari.de/reisen-nach-peru/ accessed 11/02/2012</ref>
A good part of the mentioned retreats is situated in the northeast of Peru in the Iquitos region. Another centre of retreats seems to be the city of Cusco; however, Ayahuasca does not belong to the traditionally known cures in the Cusco region, so these vendors most probably are likewise uninformed plastic shamans. This becomes evident when one of these vendors offers an allegedly traditional medicine plant for internal cleansing which he spells „Laxitiwe“ in imitation of the spelling of Quechua language.<ref>http://schamanischeszentrumperu.yolasite.com/laxitiwe.php accessed 11/06/2012</ref>
A good part of the mentioned retreats is situated in the northeast of Peru in the Iquitos region. Another centre of retreats seems to be the city of Cusco; however, Ayahuasca does not belong to the traditionally known cures in the Cusco region, so these vendors most probably are likewise uninformed plastic shamans. This becomes evident when one of these vendors offers an allegedly traditional medicine plant for internal cleansing which he spells „Laxitiwe“ in imitation of the spelling of Quechua language.<ref>http://schamanischeszentrumperu.yolasite.com/laxitiwe.php accessed 11/06/2012</ref>
A possibility to put these prices in perspective is offered on the site of Marburg University: ''“The price for about 500 ml of Ayahuasca is approximately 20 Nuevos Soles (app. € 4). Depending on the number of participants, the potency of the Ayahuasca brew, and personal habits of the shaman, such a bottle will last several sessions“''; this information refers to the usual market price in a domestic Peruvian, non-indigenous context.<ref name="uni-marburg">http://www.uni-marburg.de/fb03/ivk/vk/titelseiten/ayahuasca accessed 11/04/2012</ref>
A possibility to put these prices in perspective is offered on the site of Marburg University: ''“The price for about 500 ml of Ayahuasca is approximately 20 Nuevos Soles (app. € 4). Depending on the number of participants, the potency of the Ayahuasca brew, and personal habits of the shaman, such a bottle will last several sessions“''; this information refers to the usual market price in a domestic Peruvian, non-indigenous context.<ref name="uni-marburg">http://www.uni-marburg.de/fb03/ivk/vk/titelseiten/ayahuasca accessed 11/04/2012</ref>
===Fatalities in Retreats resp. following Ayahuasca consumption===
In most retreats, clients will not only be served Ayahuasca, but also other concoctions to prepare them for the Ayahuasca trip. Fatalities have occured both after the consumption of Ayahuasca as well as after that of so-called "tobacco tea" prior to the Ayahuasca experience.
===Fatality following Ayahuasca consumption===
====Deaths due to Ayahuasca====
In August 2012, a US tourist died after having taken the Ayahuasca brew. The case caused quite some commotion, since the plastic shaman attempted to cover up the death and dumped the body. The efforts of the deceased person's family resulted in the shaman eventually admitting to have disposed the body. In contradiction to claims made in advertisements for his premises, the „shaman“ did not closely monitor the client after the consumption of Ayahuasca, but had left him alone in a hut; when the man was found the next morning, he had been dead for some time already. The tourist had paid the amount of US$ 1,200 to consume Ayahuasca.<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2202459/Kyle-Joseph-Nolan-death-Peruvian-shaman-confesses-buried-body-U-S-teen-spiritual-retreat.html accessed 11/04/2012</ref>
In August 2012, a US tourist died after having taken the Ayahuasca brew. The case caused quite some commotion, since the plastic shaman attempted to cover up the death and dumped the body. The efforts of the deceased person's family resulted in the shaman eventually admitting to have disposed the body. In contradiction to claims made in advertisements for his premises, the „shaman“ did not closely monitor the client after the consumption of Ayahuasca, but had left him alone in a hut; when the man was found the next morning, he had been dead for some time already. The tourist had paid the amount of US$ 1,200 to consume Ayahuasca.<ref>http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2202459/Kyle-Joseph-Nolan-death-Peruvian-shaman-confesses-buried-body-U-S-teen-spiritual-retreat.html accessed 11/04/2012</ref>
Shortly afterwards, there were accounts on websites claiming that it was a regular practice for this shaman to leave clients alone during trips, since the shaman claimed to be able to telepathically monitor clients while watching TV. Further absurd claims made by this shaman were also published, so e.g. he claimed to be a descendant of Marsians who settled the continents of Atlantis and Lemuria. Other reports said the shaman did not prepare the Ayahuasca brew himself but bought it in the local market, so that he did not know its exact consistency and potency.<ref>http://www.rpp.com.pe/2012-09-11-madre-de-dios-curandero-confeso-que-enterro-a-joven-norteamericano-noticia_520815.html accessed 11/04/2012</ref>
Shortly afterwards, there were accounts on websites claiming that it was a regular practice for this shaman to leave clients alone during trips, since the shaman claimed to be able to telepathically monitor clients while watching TV. Further absurd claims made by this shaman were also published, so e.g. he claimed to be a descendant of Marsians who settled the continents of Atlantis and Lemuria. Other reports said the shaman did not prepare the Ayahuasca brew himself but bought it in the local market, so that he did not know its exact consistency and potency.<ref>http://www.rpp.com.pe/2012-09-11-madre-de-dios-curandero-confeso-que-enterro-a-joven-norteamericano-noticia_520815.html accessed 11/04/2012</ref>
====Deaths from preparatory concoctions====
Two more fatalities occured in 2015, apparently not due to the consumption of Ayahuasca, but of a so-called "tobacco tea" served in preparation for the Ayahuasca brew.<ref>http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/71864946/kiwi-matthew-dawsonclarke-dies-in-peru-after-tobacco-purge</ref><ref>http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jennifer-logan-dies-after-drinking-tobacco-purge-tea-in-peru-1.2945727</ref> Matthew Dawson-Clarke, aged 24, was served tobacco tea at the Kapitari Ayahuasca Retreat in Iquitos, Peru, and died of cardiac arrest. According to newspaper reports, he had consumed the tea in the morning and remained ill all day, with cardiac arrest occuring at 6.30 p.m. Only when first aid measures did not provide any result, Dawson-Clarke eventually was taken to an Iquitos hospital but proclaimed dead there.<ref>http://www.stuff.co.nz/national/71864946/kiwi-matthew-dawsonclarke-dies-in-peru-after-tobacco-purge</ref>
Canadian citizen Jennifer Logan, 32, likewise took ill after consuming tobacco tea "in a ceremony with a shaman". Logan, too, had to be transported to a hospital by boat and motorcycle but was beyond help upon arrival. An autopsy established Logan died of pulmonary edema. She had booked a fortnight's retreat at Canto Luz Centre outside Puerto Maldonado.<ref>http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/jennifer-logan-dies-after-drinking-tobacco-purge-tea-in-peru-1.2945727</ref>
Canto Luz is a retreat operated by a white European with a Peruvian person functioning as a "shaman". Canto Luz is owned by one Mariya Garnet, a Russian who migrated to Canada in 2000 and claims to have taken up "healing shamanism" already in Siberia. The retreat's shaman Reyna Luz Edery Flores is described as ''"the main mestizo ayahuascquera"''[sic}. Since the term "mestizo" is applied to characterise Edery Flores, she does not seem to have any tribal affiliation.<ref>http://www.cantoluz.com/#!team/c13md</ref> Canto Luz offers retreats for seven and 14 days at prices of USD 950 resp. USD 1,850.<ref>http://www.cantoluz.com/#!retreats-overview/c1i7j</ref> They publish several videos on YouTube to attract customers and seem a rather recently addition on the market, as a fundraising appeal set up in order to provide Garnet with finances to buy the premises was published in early 2013, with the additional information the retreat was going to open April 1, 2013. The fundraising campaign had a goal of USD 20,000 and managed to raise USD 31,665 from 133 persons in about one month.<ref>https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/call-to-action-join-us-in-preserving-traditional-wisdom-pristine-amazon#/story</ref>
Kapitari Center, where the other fatality occured, claims to be run by a Peruvian shaman by the name of Luis Culquiton aka Don Lucho, and there is no information whether these premises are owned by Culquiton or whether he, too, serves as a front man. Culquiton, quite in line with usual advertisement, gets portrayed as coming "from a long line of natural healers", still the website claims "he discovered the healing qualities of plants himself, at a very early age", "an established, self-educated shaman"<ref>http://www.kapitari.org/ </ref>, and "he never underwent a formal apprenticeship under another shaman".<ref>http://www.kapitari.org/about-don-lucho/</ref> Instead of being seen as positive, these phrases should be taken as a severe warning by clients that booking may mean their participation in a large experiment of "trial and error".
Kapitari, too, offers seven and 14 day retreats, with a seven-day retreat amounting to USD 650 and including four Ayahuasca trips and a "purge with tobacco juice". The site further advises: ''"The journey takes about 1 hour 30 minutes and involves a 45 minute walk so you must be able bodied."''<ref>http://www.kapitari.org/ayahuasca-ceremonies/authentic-ayahuasca-retreat-in-iquitos-peru/</ref> The death of one Kapitari client reveals plainly that this distance is a further danger to clients in case medical help is needed.
Another interesting aspect is the information the Kapitari website provides regarding where cash receipts will end up:
:''"Of the $650 that you pay us:
:''$300 goes to Kapitari and Don Lucho. A portion of which pays for the running of Kapitari and anything left over is spent on Don Lucho’s permaculture and community projects.
:''$300 is split between the retreat facilitators & Outer Travels Inner Journeys.
:''$50 is given as an additional bonus to the Peruvian staff at Kapitari who work hard all week to look after the guests."''<ref>http://www.kapitari.org/ayahuasca-ceremonies/authentic-ayahuasca-retreat-in-iquitos-peru/ </ref>
The largest part of receipts are split between the "shaman", the "retreat facilitators" and the travel agency, and the description of "retreat facilitators" is ambiguous and does not necessarily mean the retreat staff. If this was the case, a far more plain way for website maintainers were to say: USD 200 go to the Peruvian staff and USD 150 to Outer Travels. So while this information creates the impression of transparency, the vagueness and scarcity of details provided indeed will rather obfuscate than explain.
==Consequences for the Indigenous Population==
==Consequences for the Indigenous Population==