Recording: The Ethnomycology of Sacred Mushrooms (Fundraiser)

About the EVENT

In this online fundraiser we will dive into the ancestral and indigenous uses of sacred mushrooms, focusing on learning not only the uses but also the cultures that hold these mushrooms as allies. Ethnomycologist Mariana Villani will explain the uses of Amanita muscaria and the Indigenous peoples' wisdom and cultures that work with this mushroom of lore. Later, she'll introduce to us the world of Psilocybin mushrooms. Inti Garcia Flores will discuss the use of sacred mushrooms, specifically within the Mazatec culture of Huautla de Jimenez; Oaxaca, a ritual that has been practiced for a long time to heal. We will also learn how traditions and beliefs create a relationship of respect between the Mazatec and the mushroom.

In addition to your ticket, please consider donating here to the Fungi Foundation. With your help we will be able to restore the Historias y Memorias Mazatecas archive and commence the construction of a museum.

ABOUT THE GUEST SPEAKERS

Inti Garcia Flores was born on April 2, 1978, in Huautla de Jiménez, Oaxaca, of Mazatec parents. He has lived all his life in the Mazatec highlands, so he has a deep knowledge of their traditions and culture. A history teacher by profession, being an inquisitive and curious person, he has also dedicated his life to continue documenting testimonies of the Mazatec wisdom and culture; he also has the great responsibility of being the guardian of a historical archive of his culture, which is composed of too much information of various aspects (gastronomy, clothing, language, wedding, baptisms, healers, etc.). This represents a challenge for Inti, to put order in the archive: cataloging and digitizing, so that in the future it will be available for consultation for anyone who wants to know it (@historiasmazatecas). He has also collaborated in several articles and papers about psychedelics and his Mazatec culture.

Mariana Villani is an ethnomycologist, agroecologist, herbalist, researcher and teacher. Her focus is on preserving fungi and the Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Indigenous peoples, traditional societies and local communities around the world. She is currently researching and documenting the Funga of Chapada Diamantina National Park in Brazil where she teaches classes, collaborates and does research projects with different institutes and universities. She also has an online course @efungi_br and collaborates on Fungi Foundation’s Elders project. She is eager to tell us about the traditional and indigenous uses of sacred mushrooms, connecting the dots of how different peoples have been safely consuming them in ceremonies and daily life as allies.