Rapé is a finely ground tobacco powder that, in Amazonian traditions, is blown into the nostrils through a special applicator. It’s the applicator itself that turns a pinch of powder into a mindful practice — it sets the direction, force, and rhythm of the breath. Two tools are all you need to get started: the kuripe and the tepi. They’re often confused, even though they’re meant for different situations and different levels of involvement.
A kuripe is a short, V-shaped pipe connecting your mouth and your nostril so you can apply rapé yourself. A tepi is a long, straight pipe through which someone else — a partner, friend, or facilitator — blows the powder for you. Which tool you choose shapes the atmosphere of the practice, its depth, and how gentle or intense your first experience turns out to be.
This guide will help you understand the differences, pick your first applicator, learn the technique, and care for it properly. We deliberately make no medical claims here: this is about the tradition and respecting it, not about treatment. For rapé itself, its composition, and its contraindications, see our separate guide — how to use rapé — which we’ll reference more than once.
What are a kuripe and a tepi
The kuripe is a self-applicator. The pipe is bent into a V shape: one end goes to your mouth, the other to your nostril. The distance between the two ends is usually 7–12 cm, roughly matching the distance from an adult’s lips to the base of the nose. You control the force of your own breath, and therefore how much powder enters and how fast. The kuripe is ideal for private, quiet practice — a morning ritual, meditation, or setting an intention on your own.
The tepi is a pipe for practicing with a partner. It’s straight and long, anywhere from 15 to 25 cm. The person giving takes one end in their mouth, while the other is gently brought to the receiver’s nostril. The giver exhales, sending the powder into the nasal passage. A tepi is traditionally used when an experienced person administers the rapé: there’s trust, care, and what practitioners call a “transmission” in that gesture. In the tradition, rapé given by another person with clean intention is said to feel different from applying it yourself.
The short version: the kuripe is about independence and control, the tepi is about trust and togetherness. Many practitioners end up keeping both tools at home and reach for one or the other depending on their mood and circumstances.
The difference, and what a beginner should choose
If you’re just starting out, in most cases we’d suggest a kuripe. The reason is simple: control. When you apply rapé to yourself, you feel your own exhale from the inside and can stop at any moment, make the portion smaller, or deliver the powder more gently. A first encounter with rapé can feel unfamiliar, and being able to manage the force of your own breath makes that introduction calmer and gentler.
Choose a tepi when you have someone nearby whom you trust and who’s already familiar with the practice, or when the two of you want to walk this path together, unhurried. Working as a pair takes coordination: the giver needs to sense the receiver’s breath, and the receiver needs to fully relax and trust. It’s a beautiful format, but it assumes at least one person already knows how to gauge the force of the exhale.
- Practicing solo — a kuripe, no question about it.
- Have an experienced partner or facilitator — you can go straight for a tepi.
- Want both — take a look at our starter kit, which pairs the applicator with rapé and everything you need to begin.
Materials: bamboo, wood, bone
The material a pipe is made from affects its weight, how it feels in your hand, its durability, and how you care for it. Traditionally, pipes are made from bamboo, hardwoods, and bone. In our shop we offer bamboo and wood, as the most practical and ethical options.
Bamboo
Bamboo is the lightest, most affordable material and a comfortable place to start. It feels warm to the touch, has an even internal channel, and needs almost no breaking in. Bamboo prefers dryness: don’t wash it in hot water or soak it for long, or the fibers will swell. Cared for gently, a bamboo pipe lasts for years and stays a favorite for many practitioners even after wooden ones join the collection.
Hardwoods
Wood means durability and character. Every hardwood pipe has a unique grain pattern and is pleasantly heavier than bamboo, which many people like — the tool feels substantial. Wooden kuripes are often hand-carved, and a piece like that becomes more than an applicator — it’s a personal object of the practice. Care requires a bit more attention than bamboo, but the principles are the same: keep it dry and clean it gently.
Bone
Bone pipes do exist in the tradition and are prized for their smooth channel and durability, but we don’t sell them, for ethical reasons and questions about where the material comes from. If you come across one elsewhere, always ask the seller about the bone’s origin.
How to choose your first kuripe
When choosing your first pipe, pay attention to three things: length, angle, and the diameter of the internal channel.
- Length (the distance between the two ends). Use your own face as a guide: measure with your fingers from your lips to the base of your nostril. That’s usually 7–10 cm. A pipe that’s too short forces you to bend your neck; one that’s too long makes it harder to control your exhale.
- The bend angle. A classic kuripe is bent at roughly 90 degrees, sometimes a bit sharper. The right angle is one where both ends reach your mouth and nostril at the same time without straining your wrist.
- Internal channel diameter. A narrow channel gives a more focused, intense stream; a wide one gives a gentler, more diffuse one. Beginners are usually more comfortable with a medium or slightly wider channel — the powder flows more evenly and gently.
A good choice for a first tool is a bamboo kuripe: light, affordable, and forgiving of care mistakes. If you’d rather invest in a tool built to last for years and appreciate handmade craftsmanship, take a look at a mahogany kuripe. And if you’re planning to practice as a pair, consider a traditional tepi.
Kuripe technique, step by step
Below is the basic sequence for handling the applicator itself; for details on rapé dosage, setting an intention, and what to expect, see our guide on how to use rapé.
- Measure the powder. Beginners need only a very small pinch — about the size of a matchhead per nostril. Less is more: you can always add more next time.
- Pour the rapé into the far end of the pipe — the one that will point toward your nostril. Tap gently so the powder gathers at the channel’s opening.
- Sit up straight and settle your breath. Keep your spine straight, shoulders relaxed. Take a couple of calm breaths and center yourself.
- Position the two ends. One to your lips, the other to your nostril, snugly but without pressing. Don’t breathe through the other nostril yet.
- Give one confident exhale. Draw in a breath, hold it briefly, then exhale through your mouth into the pipe — short and decisive, not a weak trickle. It’s your exhale, not an inhale through the nose, that carries the powder in.
- Sit in silence. Set the pipe down, close your eyes, breathe evenly. Repeat for the other nostril when you’re ready.
The most common beginner mistake is trying to “sniff” the powder in through the nose. What actually works is the exhale through the mouth — it delivers the rapé gently and precisely. A light inhale through the nose is fine, but the lungs do the real work, not the nose.
Tepi technique for two
Practicing with a tepi is a wordless dialogue between the giver and the receiver. The giver’s role is to lead; the receiver’s role is to trust and relax.
- Sit facing each other, at a comfortable distance, eyes at the same level. It’s worth pausing for a moment of eye contact and setting an intention together.
- The giver loads the tepi. A small pinch into the far end of the pipe, a light tap to settle it.
- Sync your breathing. Agree on a simple signal beforehand. Classically, the receiver takes a slow breath in, and nods on the exhale or in the pause that follows — the giver delivers the powder at exactly that moment.
- The giver brings the pipe to the receiver’s nostril, taking the other end in their mouth. The contact should be gentle, without pressing.
- The giver exhales — confident and steady, matched to the receiver’s breathing. Experience matters here: too forceful an exhale feels harsh, too weak a one won’t carry the powder in.
- Pause, then the second nostril. Give the receiver a few seconds, then repeat. Throughout, the giver stays a calm, steady presence.
In the tradition, the strength of practicing as a pair lies precisely in trust. Don’t rush, don’t compete over dosage, and pay attention to your partner’s state. If the receiver needs to stop, stop — no questions asked.
Care and storage
A pipe will last a long time if you remember one rule: rapé and moisture don’t mix. The powder is hygroscopic, and most pipes are bamboo or wood, often with glued or fitted parts.
- Clean with a brush. After each session, clear the channel with a thin brush (a pipe-cleaner-style brush works well) or blow through it with dry air. Do this regularly so powder doesn’t build up and compact inside.
- Don’t wash it with hot water, especially glued or multi-part pipes: hot water dissolves glue and warps wood. If you need to clean the outside, use only a barely damp cloth, then dry it immediately.
- Dry it thoroughly. After any contact with moisture, let the pipe dry at room temperature, away from radiators and direct sun.
- Storage. Keep the pipe somewhere dry, ideally in a cloth pouch or case, separate from your jar of rapé. That way the powder won’t pick up moisture, and the pipe won’t absorb excess dampness.
Safety and hygiene
A pipe is a deeply personal object. Keep a few simple rules in mind to keep the practice safe.
- Keep your own pipe. Ideally, everyone has their own. A kuripe or tepi comes into contact with mucous membranes and the mouth, so don’t share without thorough cleaning and drying.
- Rapé contains nicotine. This isn’t a harmless powder. Contraindications, dosing, and precautions are covered in detail in our guide how to use rapé — be sure to read it before your first session.
- Start small. A minimal pinch and a calm setting are the best insurance against an unpleasant experience.
Frequently asked questions
Kuripe or tepi — which should I buy first?
If you practice on your own, get a kuripe: it gives you full control over your exhale. Get a tepi when you have someone you trust nearby who’s willing to administer the rapé for you.
Which material is better for a pipe — bamboo or wood?
Bamboo is lighter, cheaper, and forgives care mistakes — a great place to start. Wood is more durable, heavier, and more striking to look at, but needs a bit more attention. Both last for years with gentle care.
How do I know if a kuripe is the right size for me?
Hold the pipe up to your mouth and nostril: both ends should reach at the same time, without straining your neck or wrist. A comfortable length is usually 7–10 cm.
Can I wash the pipe with water?
Not with hot water — especially glued or multi-part models. Clean the channel with a dry brush, and if needed, wipe the outside with a barely damp cloth, then dry it right away.
Can two people share one pipe?
For hygiene reasons, it’s best to have your own pipe. If you’re sharing one, clean and dry it thoroughly between users.
This article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice. Rapé practices are intended for adults over 18. Please respect the traditions of the Amazonian peoples these tools come from, and pay attention to how your body feels.