On August 1st, in the province of Quispicanchi, Cusco region of Peru, they celebrate the Festival of Mother Earth or Pachamama Raymi.
This is an annual celebration that involves communities living in the Andes: Bolivia, Colombia, Chile, Ecuador and Peru. Over the course of a week, many people come to this area to perform an annual traditional ritual and sacrifice to Mother Earth for her gifts.
This event is held in a large special place, which has been set aside for this ritual for a long time.
Farmers rest on this day, people wear beautiful costumes, dance a lot and thank nature for a good harvest.
The symbol of Pachamama is a chakana – the upper part of the Inca cross – piadista with three degrees leading to it. Pachamama was depicted as an underground snake, a mountain or a hill of stones. Gifts were brought there, poured with chicha, wine and balls of coca.
Mother Earth is a pre-Inca ancient tradition. The Incas believed that Mother Earth is the patroness of their empire, who protects them and helps them to exist. So they earned favor and gratitude for the next year with these rituals. I must say about the sacrifices on this holiday – I noticed and was told this when I was in Machu Picchu – they sacrifice fruits that nature gives, put these fruits in a “pit” for collecting the sacrifice, to feed Mother Earth, so that she is not hungry. This ritual is performed by a special priest.
In addition to fruits, you can offer coconut leaves, candies and sweets to sweeten Mother Earth.
In addition, the inhabitants dance and sing traditional songs and dances for the ritual.
Traditional fairs and exhibitions of products are held. And the Peruvians have so many of them and they are so valuable – these are products made of fabric, leather and wool alpacas.
This holiday is very symbolic, as it gives the importance of living in harmony with nature and I was very envious in a good way of these mountain people, who were involved in their lives. Time passed, I mentally return to their way of life and I miss it in the bustle of the city. It’s great that the state of Peru supported these traditions and developed them, attracting tourists and creating conditions for the development of communities and popularizing their culture.
This day is also celebrated as National Alpaca Day(Dia National del Alpaca)
And this is an incredibly cute, fluffy, kind animal that grazes in the meadows of the Antes and even the Incas raised them and considered them sacred animals that helped transport cargo, gave wool and meat as food to the Incas in the high mountains. Now these animals are in many countries, but they are a symbol of Peru.Alpacas live in Bolivia, Ecuador and Chile too. There are two breeds of alpacas – Huacaya and Suri.
Their wool is used to weave fabrics that are valuable in the world. I got a hat and socks as a keepsake. I will remember these furry, kind animals in cold times.
It is safe to say that this holiday today brings a new spirit and is a concern for the Universe, love for the Earth and the environment.
