Pachamama

What it is

Pachamama is a primary deity in the Andes, worshipped by Indigenous peoples across South America. Her name translates to 'Mother Earth,' but she represents a broader concept of space-time and the living cosmos. Believers see her as a generous provider who sustains life, fertility, and nature. She is not limited to the ground but encompasses the entire universe. This holistic view means that every part of the world is connected to her, and harming nature is seen as harming Pachamama herself.

Where it comes from

Pachamama originates from Inca mythology and pre-Columbian Andean religion. She is described as the wife of Pachacámac and the mother of Inti, the sun god, and Mama Quilla, the moon goddess. Some myths state she was born from Viracocha. The four cosmological principles of Water, Earth, Sun, and Moon are said to claim her as their origin. After Spanish colonization, her figure merged with the Virgin Mary through religious syncretism. Despite this, many Indigenous communities maintained her worship as a distinct and powerful entity.

How it is done

Worship involves offerings known as pagos or challas. Practitioners bury food, burn incense, and sacrifice animals like llamas or guinea pigs. A common daily ritual involves spilling chicha onto the ground before drinking it. Families dig holes in the earth to place offerings, believing the soil's reaction predicts the year's fortune. Rituals often include burning plants to cleanse spaces and praying for protection. These acts establish a relationship of reciprocity, giving back to the land to ensure its continued generosity.

Tools and materials

Offerings include llama fetuses, cuy (guinea pigs), and miniature burned garments. Coca leaves, cigars, and potatoes are also placed on the ground. Chicha, a fermented corn beverage, is poured as a libation. Shrines may be simple sacred rocks or tree trunks. Artists traditionally depict her holding harvests of potatoes or coca. The earth itself serves as the primary vessel for receiving these gifts, often marked by apachetas (stone piles).

What it is for

People seek Pachamama's help for health, good harvests, and protection during travel. August rituals aim to ward off illness during the cold winter months. Travelers make offerings before leaving home to ensure safe journeys. The practice reinforces ayni, the principle of mutual exchange between humans and the cosmos. By nourishing Pachamama, believers hope to maintain cosmic balance and receive blessings for their families and livestock.

Who does it

Rituals are led by yatiris, traditional priests among the Aymara people. Households also perform daily and monthly rites without professional guidance. Elders, particularly senior women, are respected as symbols of wisdom and tradition. They may be elected as the 'Pachamama Queen' during festivals. The community works together to prepare food and manage offerings, emphasizing collective responsibility for maintaining harmony with the divine.

Peoples and places

Pachamama is revered throughout the Andes, including Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Chile, Argentina, and Colombia. The Quechua and Aymara peoples are central to her worship. In modern times, some mestizo and New Age groups have adopted aspects of her veneration. While the core beliefs remain rooted in Indigenous traditions, the practice has adapted to contemporary national identities and environmental movements.

What people believe

Andean cosmology views Pachamama as a living totality that sustains all beings. She is associated with states of consciousness called Pachakuna, which include different realms of space-time. The worldview emphasizes interdependence, where every element affects the whole. Pachamama can be benevolent or destructive if offended. Her hunger must be satisfied through offerings to prevent cosmic imbalance. This belief system rejects exclusion, viewing all life as equally important within the community.

When it is done

The main festival occurs in August, coinciding with the sowing season and the coldest month. Martes de challa, or Challa's Tuesday, aligns with Shrove Tuesday. Daily libations are common, especially on the first Friday of each month. Offerings are made before trips or when passing sacred stone piles. Night-long preparations begin on August 1, involving cooking and digging holes in the earth.

How scholars and sceptics see it

Anthropologists study Pachamama as a key element of Andean identity and resistance. Researchers note how her worship persisted despite colonial suppression. Scholars analyze the concept of ayni as a social and spiritual framework. Some observe parallels between Andean holism and modern ecological thought. The merger with Catholicism is examined as a strategy of cultural survival and adaptation.

Compare and confuse

Pachamama is often compared to the Virgin Mary due to colonial syncretism. She shares traits with other mother earth deities but is distinct in her cosmic scope. Unlike generic nature spirits, she embodies space-time and universal order. Her role as a creator and sustainer places her above local earth gods. The term 'Mama Pacha' is sometimes used interchangeably, though nuances exist in regional dialects.

Law and persecution

Indigenous rights movements have helped legitimize Pachamama worship in public spaces. Some regions recognize her as a symbol of environmental protection. Legal battles have occurred over land rights tied to sacred sites. There is no official state religion, allowing diverse practices. However, historical persecution forced many ceremonies underground during the colonial era.

Today

Pachamama remains a vital figure in Andean culture. Environmental activists invoke her to advocate for sustainable practices. Tourism agencies promote visits to Inca sites linked to her worship. New Age groups incorporate her into global spiritual practices. Despite modernization, rural communities continue traditional rituals, ensuring the deity's relevance in contemporary life.

Rites that involve Pachamama

Questions people ask about Pachamama

Good reading and sources

• Encyclopaedia BritannicaArticle
• BBC NEWS | Programmes | From Our Own CorrespondentBBC, Article
• Bolivia enshrines natural worldThe Guardian, Article

• Pachamama on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos and video
• Wikidata recordOpen data