Mengatohue, 65, Huaorani People, Huaorani Territory, Amazon (Ecuador)
Phil Borges

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Mengatohue became a shaman by taking more and more powerful doses of ayahuasca (a plant hallucinogen) until he bonded with his spirit allies. He was very young when he started, and the process is dangerous - the initiate can go crazy. Every five to seven days, Mengatohue goes into trance and his main spirit (the Jaguar) enters his body and gives him guidance for healing patients and leading his community.