Olivia Arévalo

Olivia Ar%C3%A9valo en 2018

Olivia Arévalo Lomas (1930s – April 19, 2018) was a renowned Shipibo-Conibo shaman and folk healer from the Peruvian Amazon. She was a prominent figure in her community, known for her extensive knowledge of traditional Amazonian medicine and her role in preserving the Shipibo-Conibo culture and indigenous languages. Arévalo was also a singer of Icaros, traditional healing songs, which are considered an integral part of the ayahuasca ceremony, a spiritual practice deeply rooted in the culture of various indigenous peoples of the Amazon.

Biography

Olivia Arévalo was born in the 1930s in the Peruvian Amazon, into the Shipibo-Conibo community, one of the largest indigenous groups in the region. She dedicated her life to the study and practice of traditional Amazonian medicine, becoming a master vegetalista or plant healer. Arévalo was known for her deep understanding of the medicinal properties of plants native to the Amazon rainforest and for her skill in using these plants in healing practices.

Throughout her life, Arévalo was an active proponent of the preservation of Shipibo-Conibo culture and traditions, including language, art, and spiritual practices. Her work extended beyond her community, as she became a figure of significance in the broader movement for the rights and recognition of indigenous peoples in Peru and across the Amazon.

In addition to her healing work, Arévalo was a custodian of Icaros, the traditional healing songs of the Shipibo-Conibo and other Amazonian indigenous groups. These songs are believed to be inspired by the spirits of the forest and are considered essential for the healing process during ayahuasca ceremonies. Arévalo's knowledge and performance of Icaros were highly respected, and she played a crucial role in teaching and passing on these traditions to younger generations.

Death and Legacy

Olivia Arévalo was tragically murdered on April 19, 2018, in her community in the Peruvian Amazon. Her death sparked international outrage and highlighted the ongoing threats faced by indigenous leaders and environmental defenders in the Amazon. Arévalo's murder underscored the conflicts over land rights, environmental protection, and the preservation of indigenous culture in the region.

Following her death, there was a renewed interest in and appreciation for the cultural and medicinal knowledge that Arévalo represented. Her life's work has been recognized as an invaluable contribution to the understanding and preservation of Amazonian medicinal practices and indigenous traditions. Arévalo's legacy continues to inspire both her community and those interested in the intersection of traditional medicine, indigenous rights, and environmental stewardship.

See Also

• Shipibo-Conibo people
• Ayahuasca
• Indigenous peoples of the Americas
• Traditional medicine