by Josh Judge ’26 and William Boswell ‘26
As we walked through the Universidad Nacional Agraria de la Selva (UNAS) arboretum, a lush forest with sunlight glimmering through the layers of leaves, we stopped to speak with a professor who informed us that our group needed to obtain permission from the forest to enter its winding paths. To properly interact with the endless, cascading plants in good favor, we had to ask for the permission of the Ojé tree through offerings and the cleansing of our bodies from bad spirits.
The Ojé is considered sacred. By the Peruvian locals, it is also known as their Abuelo, the grandfather tree of the forest. The tree is known for its medicinal properties, ranging from antiparasitic qualities to nausea prevention, and is often referred to as the healer or “doctor” of the forest, as it cares for the spirits dwelling there.
After the audience of UNAS and Wabash students and professors shuffled around the tree, the solemn ceremony began with bowls of tobacco being set alight, their smoke cleansing the area. The ritual leader offered a brief prayer before starting to play music. The music echoed throughout the forest, chanting about paying tribute to the earth mother, Pachamama. While music filled the air, the assistant chanted and sang. Both leaders moved among us, blowing tobacco smoke onto our faces, handing out coca leaves to offer to the tree (not consume), sprinkling floral water, and inviting us to wash our faces with it, all as cleansing remedies before entering the forest.
Each student then approached a bountiful table filled with offerings—flowers, alcohol, candy, cigarettes, and coca leaves. One by one, we selected items to present to the Ojé. The offerings were placed in dark crevices of tree roots, becoming enveloped in the tree, except for the alcohol, which was poured directly onto its roots.
After the offering, the ritual leader invited anyone who felt called to approach the Ojé and say a silent, internal prayer. A few students and faculty members accepted this invitation. The ceremony ended with final prayers from the ritual leaders.
Our translator conveyed the leaders’ concluding thoughts: our spirits were now aligned with those of the forest, and we were permitted to enter and begin learning about the plants and trees within.
Although unfamiliar to most students, the ritual provided enlightening insight into indigenous Peruvian culture. To them, the forest is not a place to be conquered or harvested, but rather a vector through which one can live and enter in harmony with the spiritual world. As such, the locals who practice this tradition treat the plants and ecosystems with deep reverence and respect.
The ritual lasted for around an hour. Reactions among the students varied. Some found the experience calming and deeply grounded, while others chose to observe due to their religious observances.
Thank you to Professors Sorensen and Novak for coordinating with GHI Peru to make this culturally enriching opportunity possible. We are also profoundly grateful to GHI Peru for providing such an enriching and memorable experience. Lastly, thank you to Professor Wetzel and Wabash College for maintaining this valuable partnership with GHI Peru, which made this experience a reality for students.
