Glossary
Maloca
The communal sacred space in which ayahuasca ceremonies are held — a ceremonial structure rooted in Amazonian indigenous tradition, designed to contain and support the spiritual work of ceremony.
The maloca is the ceremonial house — the sacred container in which the ayahuasca ceremony takes place. In traditional Amazonian communities, the maloca is a large communal dwelling and ceremonial hall, often circular or oval, built in harmony with the natural environment. Its architectural form is understood as a spiritual design: the roof representing the canopy of the forest, the interior representing the womb of the earth, the gathering within it representing the community in spiritual communion.
At ECC, "maloca" refers to the designated ceremonial space where participants gather for ceremony. This space is prepared carefully — smudged with sacred plants, arranged with intention, and held by the facilitators as a protected spiritual container for the duration of the ceremony. The arrangement of mats, the placement of ceremonial objects, and the direction participants face all carry meaning in the tradition.
Entering the maloca signals the beginning of sacred time. Participants are invited to bring their full spiritual presence from the moment they cross the threshold. The space is maintained in silence or ceremonial sound until the closing, honoring the understanding that what takes place within it is of a different order than ordinary life.