The Ceremonial Maloka at Popo Niwe's Ayahuasca Retreats

What is a maloka?

*Nihue Rao Traditional Amazonian maloka used for ceremony*

A maloka is traditionally a sacred roundhouse used by many Indigenous cultures throughout the Amazon. Popo Niwe's ayahuasca ceremony space is a unique blend of a Mayan palapa and a Peruvian maloka. It combines the circular design of a traditional ceremonial maloka (pictured above) with a palm-thatched roof of a palapa. Many malokas, such as the design of Popo Niwe’s structure, include netted walls that help keep insects out without restricting the natural flow of air.

Why are ayahuasca ceremonies held in a maloka?

A maloka is more than a building. For many Indigenous peoples of the Amazon, it is a place where community gathers, knowledge is shared, and ceremonies are held. The circular design encourages a sense of equality and connection, with everyone gathered around a shared center. Its open-air construction allows fresh air to circulate while maintaining a close relationship with the surrounding natural world.

While each Indigenous tradition has its own customs and practices, the maloka has long served as a space for ceremony, reflection, learning, and healing. At Popo Niwe, the ceremonial maloka was created in this spirit, honoring the traditions that have guided Mark and Tara while also respecting the land and culture of Yucatán, where it now stands.

The palapa in Ek Balam that inspired the Popo Niwe maloka.

When Mark first visited the village of Ek Balam in Yucatán, Mexico, he was inspired by the simplicity of a local palapa. He spoke with a respected elder as well as a builder about creating a ceremonial space that honored the local architecture while also meeting the needs of their plant medicine practice. Together, they envisioned and brought to life a structure that blends the palm-thatched, open-air design of the Mayan palapa with the traditional blueprint of a Peruvian maloka.

*Builders constructing the Popo Niwe ceremonial maloka*

They refer to their ceremonial space as a maloka because of the plant medicine tradition Mark and Tara carry, though it is equally a palapa, reflecting the land and culture in which it was built. For the past several months, local builders and community members have been lovingly constructing this sacred space, which is now nearing completion. It has been thoughtfully designed to support ayahuasca retreats for years to come. Nestled near the Ek Balam archaeological site in Yucatán, Mexico, it has been created under the guidance and with the blessing of elders and ancestral traditions from both the Mayan and Shipibo lineages.

*Beginning to add the palapa style roof.*

This ceremonial space in Mexico is intentionally designed to support connection, presence, and shared experience. The Popo Niwe team is filled with gratitude and excitement as they prepare to gather in this space. This maloka will hold countless ayahuasca ceremonies and welcome many beautiful souls to their retreats. The opening ceremony will take place in November, with additional ceremonies to follow throughout the winter.