Participants in a spiritual retreat in a rural area of South America are buried alive during an unusual celebration. This religious movement, called “shamanic rebirth”, aims to reconnect individuals with the Earth and nature.

Practitioners of shamanism in an area 22 miles outside Brasília, the capital of Brazil, are seeking a different ritual for spiritual reconnection by participating in what is known as “Shamanic Rebirth,” an approach where they are symbolically buried alive. The ritual is conducted by the group Casa Semente Experience, which organises the retreat, during which a person is buried in a shallow grave and covered with a thin layer of earth. The burial can last from three to seven minutes, depending on how long the individual wants to stay.

The face is covered by a thin cloth that protects the eyes, nose, and mouth, and the layer of earth over the face is thinner than on the rest of the body.

The goal is to allow greater contact with the frequency and vibration of the Earth.

“The purpose of the experience is a deep connection with the Earth, where it is possible to feel a great embrace and breathe with the Great Mother, Pachamama, Mother Earth,” said Lila from Casa Semente Experience, responsible for organising the retreat.

According to its organisers, the ritual is supervised and practitioners are not left alone, with assistance on hand from someone outside the grave.