The Story of Asháninka Cacao & The Indigenous Growers

The Ashaninka Community

The Asháninka are one of the largest Indigenous groups in the Amazon rainforest, primarily residing in Peru and the border regions of Brazil. Their history stretches back thousands of years, long before European colonisation. Traditionally semi-nomadic, the Asháninka people have relied on hunting, fishing, and agriculture to sustain themselves within the rich biodiversity of the Amazon. Their deep connection to the land is so clear in their spiritual practices, where they see themselves as stewards of the forest, living in harmony with nature.

The deeply saddening truth, is that the Asháninka people have experienced an immense amount of suffering. From being forced to convert to Christianity, to being enslaved to farm rubber, they have experienced violence, brutal massacres, their homes and families being torn apart, as well as forced enrolment into the military. It breaks our hearts to have heard and learnt about their history, the pain, suffering and unspeakable torture that these people have undergone. Yet it also feels so deeply important to share their story too, they want their story to be known.

The Elders of the community who we are now working with, fled. They guided what was left of their community deep into the jungle, to escape and to create a new life. With them, they carried in their hearts the medicine of their sacred cacao trees, the tiny seed of hope that would endeavour to birth the heart of their new community. The Elders planted new cacao seeds in deep reverence, prayer and hope, hope that one day they would have new cacao orchards to support them, their hearts and their loved ones. And I am really happy to say, that this came to pass, and this cacao is the Wild Soul Cacao that is in your cup.

One of the growers shared: “Cacao is the tree of life, because it has allowed us to rebuild their lives and communities when we had lost everything.”

The Asháninka are an incredibly strong, resilient people, who have worked endlessly hard to preserve their lands and their culture. Through organising community based conservation projects, reforesting their lands, and growing and tending to their sacred cacao trees, this particular community in the Santipo region, in the Highlands of Peru are thriving.

Do The Asháninka People Drink Cacao Ceremonially?

The Asháninka communities don’t actually make a ceremonial beverage from the cacao paste as we do with our sacred elixirs. They make a ceremonial beverage from the fermented pulp of the cacao fruit. They also make a medicine from the bark of the cacao tree, that is to help expectant mothers during pregnancy. 

Cacao Pod

We feel deeply grateful to be working with these inspiring, courageous, beautiful people, and to be able to share their story and support the continuation of their thriving.

Every bag of Wild Soul Cacao that you buy, supports these people to continue rebuilding their communities, schools, homes and livelihoods.

So we send you the biggest thank you, for reading this story and hopefully for also deciding to source your cacao from traceable communities, farms are growers. The choices you make really do affect the whole.

Thank YOU! x