Tsentsak

Tsentsak are invisible pathogenic projectiles or magical darts utilized in indigenous and mestizo shamanic practices for the purposes of sorcery and healing throughout much the Amazon Basin.

Tsentsak are only visible under the influence of a psychoactive substance called natemä, which is the Jívaro word for ayahuasca.

Tsentsak are believed to possess their own agency and volition as living spirits that constantly desire to kill and consume human flesh.

To facilitate control of tsentsak they must be nourished by the consumption of mapacho (Nicotiana rustica), which can be smoked or imbibed as an infusion.

These magical darts are utilized by brujos, (shamans specializing in attack sorcery) to bring suffering and death to their victims.

The amount and variety of tsentsak collected by a shaman is directly proportional to his power and ability to kill and heal.

While sorcerers may use tsentsak for malevolent purposes, healing shamans use these magic darts to create a barrier of protection around their body.

The healing shaman must imbibe ayahuasca to make the darts visible in the victim's body in order to remove them.

[4] Tsentsak may also be sold in the more tangible forms of tree thorns, insects, small stones, and even pieces of razor blade.