Kuripe vs Tepi: The Complete Guide to Hapé Pipes
Learn the difference between Kuripe and Tepi hapé applicator pipes. Understand which one is right for you, how to use each, and how to choose your first pipe.
GUIDEHAPÉ
8/18/20265 min read
Hapé is one of the oldest sacred medicines of the Amazon — and learning to work with it begins with understanding the tools. Whether you are new to hapé or deepening your practice, knowing the difference between a Kuripe and a Tepi will shape every session you have with this plant medicine.
At Pillars of Light, we carry hand-selected Kuripes and Tepis sourced directly from Indigenous artisans across the Amazon. Here is everything you need to know to choose the right pipe for your practice.
What Is a Kuripe?
A Kuripe (pronounced koo-REE-pay) is a V-shaped, self-administration pipe designed for applying hapé to yourself. One end goes gently into your nostril; the other end goes to your mouth. You blow the medicine into your own nose through the mouthpiece.
The Kuripe puts you in direct relationship with the medicine — you set the intention, you hold the pipe, and you determine the dose. For solo practice, daily ritual, and personal ceremony, the Kuripe is the essential tool.
Kuripe characteristics:
• V-shaped, compact design
• Both ends come to your face: one to the nostril, one to the mouth
• Used for solo or self-administration only
• Usually 10–18 cm in length
• Made from bone, wood, bamboo, crystal, stone, or combinations
• Highly personal — traditionally considered an extension of the practitioner's intention
Who should use a Kuripe?
Anyone beginning a solo hapé practice starts with a Kuripe. It gives you full control over the process — you decide when, how much, and with what intention. Many practitioners use a Kuripe daily for grounding, focus, and clearing before meditation or prayer.
What Is a Tepi?
A Tepi (pronounced teh-PEE) is a longer, straight blowpipe used when one person administers hapé to another. One end is placed at the nostril of the recipient; the facilitator blows the medicine through the pipe from the other end.
The Tepi is a sacred tool of service. In ceremony, the person holding the Tepi is called the facilitator or server. Using a Tepi is not simply about delivery — it is an act of care, trust, and energetic exchange between two people.
Tepi characteristics:
• Straight or gently curved, longer design (usually 25–50 cm)
• One end goes to the recipient's nostril; the other to the facilitator's mouth
• Used for serving medicine to another person
• Often more ornate — reflects the sacredness of the act of service
• Made from bone, bamboo, chonta wood, or combinations; often decorated with Shipibo-style beadwork
Who should use a Tepi?
Tepis are for those who serve hapé to others — in ceremony, in family practice, or in healing work. If you are facilitating hapé sessions or working with groups, a Tepi is essential. If you are brand new to hapé, learn with a Kuripe first and understand the medicine in your own body before serving others.
Kuripe vs Tepi: Side-by-Side
— Kuripe — Tepi
Used by — The person receiving — The facilitator/server
Shape — V-shaped — Straight or gently curved
Length — 10–18 cm — 25–50 cm
For — Solo self-practice — Serving medicine to another
Best for beginners? — ✅ Yes — ✅ Only if you're facilitating
Ornamentation — Varies — Often more elaborate
What Are Hapé Pipes Made From?
The materials used to make Kuripes and Tepis carry their own energy and significance. At Pillars of Light, our collection includes pipes made from:
Bone — Traditionally alpaca bone or condor bone. Bone is considered a sacred material in many Indigenous traditions, connecting the user to the animal spirit and the ancestors.
Chonta Wood — A dense, dark palm wood native to the Amazon. Chonta is prized for its natural strength and spiritual associations with the jaguar and warrior energy.
Bamboo — Light, natural, and accessible. Bamboo Kuripes are a classic entry point, traditionally used across many Amazonian tribes.
Palo Santo — The sacred "holy wood" of South America. A Palo Santo Kuripe carries the wood's purifying and grounding qualities into your practice.
Crystal and Stone — Quartz, tigers eye, chrysocolla, and other stones are set into many of our Kuripes, adding the energetic properties of crystal work to your hapé ceremony.
Ayahuasca Vine (Caapi) — Some of our most treasured Kuripes are carved from the same sacred vine used in Ayahuasca ceremonies. These are considered especially powerful ceremonial tools.
How to Choose Your First Pipe
If you are buying your first Kuripe, look for:
• A material that calls to you — trust your intuition
• Proper fit: the nostril tip should be small enough to rest comfortably without forcing entry
• Quality craftsmanship: smooth edges, no cracks, well-fitted joints
• A connection: the best Kuripe often finds you rather than the other way around
If you are buying your first Tepi, look for:
• A length that feels comfortable to hold while blowing
• Durable materials — Tepis get handled more than Kuripes
• Ornamentation that feels ceremonially appropriate for the work you do
At Pillars of Light, every pipe in our collection is hand-selected for quality and authenticity. We have one of the largest in-person Kuripe and Tepi selections available in the United States — at our Old Town Spring, TX location you can hold and compare pipes before choosing.
Caring for Your Kuripe or Tepi
Your pipe deserves the same care and respect as any sacred tool.
• Clean after every use. Run a thin pipe cleaner through the tube to remove any residue. Do not use soap or chemicals — a dry or barely-damp cloth is enough.
• Store intentionally. Keep your pipe in a dedicated pouch or box, away from damp environments and direct sunlight.
• Cleanse energetically. Many practitioners smudge their Kuripe or Tepi with Palo Santo, sage, or sacred tobacco smoke to clear and reset the energy between sessions.
• Do not share. In traditional practice, a Kuripe is deeply personal and is not shared between practitioners. A Tepi, used in service, is cleansed thoroughly between uses.
Shop Kuripes & Tepis at Pillars of Light
We carry handcrafted Kuripes and Tepis from Indigenous artisans in Brazil and across the Amazon. Whether you are beginning your hapé practice or adding a ceremonial-grade Tepi to your facilitation work, you will find the right pipe in our collection.
Browse our full selection of Kuripes and Tepis — available online and in person at 318 Main Street, Suite D, Old Town Spring, TX 77373.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a Tepi on myself?
No. The Tepi is designed for one person to blow medicine into another's nose. It is not designed for self-application — for that, you always use a Kuripe.
How much hapé goes in a pipe?
The standard starting dose is approximately the size of a small lentil in each nostril. Always start smaller than you think you need and build your familiarity with the medicine gradually.
Do I need to clean my pipe between sessions?
Yes. A simple pipe cleaner run through the tube after each use keeps the pipe hygienic and clear. Store it dry.
Can a beginner use a Tepi?
We recommend gaining solid personal experience with the medicine through a Kuripe before serving others with a Tepi. Understanding the medicine in your own body is an important step before entering the role of facilitator.
Where can I buy a Kuripe near me in Texas?
Pillars of Light is the only Amazonian hapé apothecary with a physical storefront in the United States. Visit us in Old Town Spring, TX — Greater Houston area — to view and hold our full in-store collection.
Pillars of Light, 318 Main Street, Suite D, Spring, TX 77373
Pillars of light
Orders@pillarsoflight.shop
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