Giving back to Pachamama
When was the last time we thanked Mother Earth? In Peru they practice this regularly- one of Peru’s oldest, most sacred rituals. Participating in this ceremony of sounds and offerings not only creates a deep, authentic cross cultural interaction, but also more importantly restores the relationship between humans and nature
Mother Earth has been revered as the goddess of fertility across civilizations. Pachamama as she is called in ancient Quechua is deeply respected. It is she who harvests their lands to grow potatoes, coca leaves and corn, it is she who makes the mountains, it is she who brings the sun and the rain and yet it is she who makes earthquakes, thunder and lightening too. She has the power to create, destroy and sustain. The offerings were a humble way for farmers to return to the Earth what they had taken. An exchange between man and nature. But also, a time to share dreams and hopes. If the offering you make, pleases her, she will protect you and bring you good luck and good harvests. This ritual is commonly performed before a journey, especially up the mountains. First a little package of coca leaves, incense, dried flowers, nuts and brown sugar, a bit of vicuña (very expensive) wool, and even some red wine is made as an offering to the mountain spirits (Apus). Its is packed up in a square paper package , blessed, words of thanks given to Pachamama and then wrapped again with a llama-wool blanket. It is then lightly pressed to the head, hands, back and feet, chanting more words of thanks and asking for protection and then it goes into the middle of the fire. You are cleansed. For the closing, three coca leaves are placed on the floor in front of the shaman. The tips of the leaves symbolically reach up to Inti Tayta (Sun and Sky), the stems down to Pachamama. Custom calls to chew on some of the coca leaves and sip the wine, leaving the last mouthful to spit on the ground for Pachamama. Reciprocity and gratitude.
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