Arnaldo Mahua Ochabano

Maestro Arnaldo is our oldest maestro at 72 years old and comes from the community of Paoyhan on the Ucayali River. He comes from a long lineage of Shipibo healers and is one of 5 brothers who are all well respected and amongst the Shipibo people and continue to work as village doctors in their community.He began to work with the plants at the age of 16 commencing his apprenticeship with a plant dieta that lasted for 2 years, carried out in isolation in the rainforest near his community. He has continued to diet a vast amount of plants and trees over the last 56 years and brings an incredible amount of experience and wisdom to the Temple.Arnaldo’s healing style is very gentle and many guests enjoy the melodious ikaros that he sings in ceremony. He is also a gifted ‘huesero’ – a bone setter – and carries extensive wealth of plant knowledge.Arnaldo is an open hearted man, endearing to all who meet him and the “grandfather” Maestro to us all at the Temple. He enjoys his work with us, is very open to sharing his knowledge and is also grateful to be working at the Temple which enables him to be able to support his large family. Tags: ayahuasca elder shipibo