The Shipibo-Konibo are an Amazonian indigenous group in Eastern Peru. During centuries they have had contact with missionaries, settlers, exploiters, and researchers. Shipibo-Konibo are very popular among researchers of various areas as well as among tourists. The cause for this popularity may lie in the combination of easy geographic accessibility, spectacular artwork, and the practice of “shamanism” including a hallucinogenic drug (ayawaska). Especially “ayawaska shamanism” and related topics have been studied extensively during the last three decades. The ritual complex around ayawaska includes magical songs. Visions induced by the drug often mirror the quality of the indigenous group’s “traditional” geometric designs. During the 1980s, a German anthropologist proposed that Shipibo “shamans” could sing the designs as if they were coded music, not unlike a notation; and by singing “pattern songs”, they could evoke corresponding designs in their visionary drug experience. This hypothesis was not only accepted in the scientic community, but even more enthusiastically in popular literature and in the end by Shipibo- Konibo people themselves. Nowadays, many Indians present these ideas as a core “tradition of their tribe” — and researchers can observe and record many opportunities of its actual practice. However, according to newer studies (see references), this concept was not a part of Shipibo-Konibo life before it was introduced by anthropologists. Presenting this example I will point out how research ( oldwork, publications, teaching) itself can influence an entire indigenous group to re-invent their “tradition” (which thereafter “has always been there”) in order to obtain and maintain their social position as a preferred target group for researchers (and tourists following in their footsteps). This example underlines how “target groups” for research may actively shape their history and “traditions” as a response to researchers’ inquiries. They are sciently construct themselves as “interesting” and therefore may obtain funding, foster tourism, and be invited around the world as “singing artist shamans”.