Importance of the Pachamama

Used today in a large way only as a concept or a name without really knowing what it represents, the Pachamama is undoubtedly some one of the most beautiful and perfect ideas or notions that the pre-Columbian peoples bequeathed to the American tradition in deep relation with the nature and the world around us.

The earth is the mother of every community

If we take into account that the pre-Columbian peoples, like many other peoples of Antiquity, have been mostly linked to the nature, it is understandable that they would dedicate a significant number of celebrations to the earth, since it was the soil where she could give and take away life.

In the case of the American peoples, the one who specifically developed the idea of ​​Pachamama was the of the Incas, who were located on the west coast of South America, on the Cordillera de los Andes. This town left a great legacy in the traditions from countries like Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Argentina and Chile. From very early on, this town dedicated deep celebrations to the mother goddess of life, both in the form of gratitude as a supplication so that the crops grow profusely and humans can thus subsist.

Getting to know the mother of the Inca land better

To begin with, we must point out that the term or name by which the Incas knew Mother Earth is a union of two words of Aymara origin: pacha or 'earth', 'soil' and mama or 'mother'. Thus, the earth ceases to be a simple natural element to become a kind and generous deity that offers us its fruits so that the living beings we can enjoy our cycle of life in it.

The Pachamama is also a mystical and magical entity that must be respected and cared for by the human being since its carelessness or aggression towards it can generate atrocious effects that are difficult to control by humans: tornadoes, earthquakes, droughts, floods. All these phenomena are understood as Pachamama's punishment for indifference or human wickedness.

The ceremony that is known worldwide

At present, the ceremonies that are offered to the Pachamama are recognized worldwide and generate a large number of visits by tourists from all over the world.

This celebration is held after winter as a sign of the beginning of a new period of fertility. and supposes the offering of food, drink and gifts to the land that maintain a bond of respect and admiration between humans and the mother goddess.

Images: Fotolia. cycloco – nnerto