Pachamama Day

On August 1, Pachamama Day is celebrated in the high Andean communities of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The Andean region is characterized by a culture rooted in pre-Inca and Inca traditions, expressed through its festivals, customs, and traditions.

Many people have a deep bond with Mother Earth, known as Pachamama in Quechua. For this reason, every August 1, they perform an offering ceremony to Pachamama, who represents the earth and all of nature, which provides us with the place and resources we need to live. 

The Incas held her in the highest respect. She was one of their deities, just like Inti, the Sun God. Before certain festivities, they would usually perform a ceremony of gratitude for her. It was the time for the earth to eat, drink, and smoke; the time to give back much of what she had given them.

What does Pachamama mean?

To understand the meaning of the Quechua word “Pachamama,” we must first break it down into two parts: “pacha,” which means earth, world, universe, or time, and “mama,” which means mother. Together, these two terms mean “Mother Earth” or “Mother World.”

Everything that exists on our planet, especially in the Andean world, has life. From people to stones, mountains, rivers, plants, and trees, everything is alive. Nothing is inert in the Andean world. The stars, the universe, the moon, and especially the sun are also alive.

What is celebrated on Pachamama Day and when?

Most high Andean communities have had, and still have, a deep dependence on and connection with agriculture. August is the month when they prepare to welcome the new harvests. On Pachamama Day, the Andean people seek to give back to the earth everything they have received from her, expressing gratitude and asking for the coming harvests to be abundant and prosperous as well.

Who celebrates Pachamama Day?

Today, many local people perform this ritual to give thanks and also to prevent situations that may not be beneficial. According to local tradition, the offering may include coca leaves, coins, a lliclla, which is a traditional blanket with Inca motifs, food, and other elements. 

Men from the countryside, housewives, workers, farmers, children, authorities, neighborhood boards, and other organizations take part in the Pachamama Day festivities.

How is Pachamama Day celebrated?

As part of the Pachamama Day celebrations, men and women from high Andean communities gather on August 1 in a ceremony that includes, among other things:

• A hole dug in the ground, where all the offerings and gifts for Pachamama are placed. This hole is approximately 50 centimeters deep and 1 meter in diameter, depending on the number of offerings and the size of the ceremony.
• A wool blanket or “lliclla,” the garment used to wrap the gifts before covering them with earth.
• Beer, food, coca leaves, cigarettes, confetti, sweets, and cookies.

At the end of the ceremony, wood or firewood is placed in the hole. Everything prepared is wrapped in the lliclla and finally consumed by fire, before being covered with earth. Throughout the ceremony, people drink beer, eat various traditional dishes, and celebrate with dances and music.

Inca Worldview and Mythology

Pre-Inca civilizations, such as the Moche, Chimú, Chanka, Tiahuanaco, and peoples of the jungle, among others, shared with the Incas the belief in a single entity that represented both God and nature. The Incas understood this, and it became one of the pillars of their success in spreading this type of belief throughout their empire.

According to the Inca worldview, space or time was divided into three planes:

Hanan Pacha: This expression means “the world above.” It was the celestial world, reserved for those who had been righteous during their lives and could access it through a bridge made of hair. In this upper world lived the most important gods, such as Wiracocha, which we will explain further below.

Kay Pacha: This expression means “the present world, the here and now.” It is the world where humans, animals, and some deities live, such as Pachamama, Mama Sara, and Pariacaca.

Uku Pacha: This expression means “the world below, the world of the dead.” In this world, according to Andean mythology, lived unborn children, the dead, and everything beneath the surface of the earth or sea. They believed that caves, springs, and other openings in the earth’s surface were actually portals or connecting lines between Uku Pacha and Kay Pacha.

What gods did the Incas believe in?

Inca religiosity included divinities linked to nature, the stars, mountains, water, and fertility; in other words, they believed that the creator god and nature were part of the same entity. Although they developed a textile-based system for accounting and administrative records, made up of a main cord with hanging colored threads and knots, called “khipus,” they did not develop alphabetic writing. For this reason, most of their traditions and myths have been passed down orally, from generation to generation.

The 3 worlds of Inca mythology

As mentioned above, Inca religion was pantheistic, meaning it believed in a single entity that represented both creation and nature. However, Wiracocha was one of the most important creator deities within certain Andean and Inca traditions.

Gods of Hanan Pacha (World Above)

• Wiracocha: The earliest records of this creator deity are related to religious traditions that existed before the Incas, present in Andean cultures such as Chavín, Huari, and Tiahuanaco. Later, the Incas assimilated this figure and incorporated it into their own religious system. According to tradition, Wiracocha emerged from the waters and created the sky, the earth, the sun, the moon, and human beings. In some Andean representations associated with the so-called Staff God, a frontal figure appears holding two staffs or ceremonial scepters; however, not all of these images can be directly and safely identified with Wiracocha.
• Inti or the Sun God: One of the most important gods or representations of Inca culture. He was believed to be the son of Wiracocha, although his exact origin is unknown. The sun was worshipped as an essential factor for life, since it provides warmth and light; farmers also trusted in it to ensure a good harvest year.
• Mama Quilla or Moon Goddess: She was considered the wife of Inti, the Sun God, and mother of the firmament.
• Illapa or God of Rain, Thunder, and Lightning: He was considered the brother and companion of Inti.
• Punchao or Chaska: The companion of the goddess Quilla. It is believed to actually represent the planet Venus.

Gods of Kay Pacha (Earthly World) 

• Pachamama: This divinity represents both the physical earth and nature. She is the mother who gives us food and drink, protects us, and gives us a home. There is no specific place or time where she can be found; she is present in the elements of nature, such as rivers, forests, mountains, and lakes. She is the deity who shelters and protects us while also providing fertility and abundance. On Pachamama Day, the Andean people seek to repay all this generosity and protection.
• Mama Wayra: Goddess of the winds.
• Mama Nina: Goddess of light, fire, and volcanoes.
• Mama Sara: Goddess of corn or food.
• Pariacaca: God of rain and fertility, as well as wild animals and fruits.
• Huallallo Carhuancho: Main god of the Wanka culture. He is considered a malignant or negative entity.
• Mallko: Represents law.

Gods of Uku Pacha (World Below) 

• Yatañamca and Tutañamca: Twin gods who represent darkness and night.
• Pachacamac: God of earthquakes, also considered one of the creator gods of the earth. He is said to have exiled himself into the seas and oceans.
• Mama Cocha: She was the deity who represented everything feminine. Tribute was paid to her to obtain good fishing and also to calm rough waters.
• Supay: This god reigns in the world of the dead and, according to tradition, always demands or asks for more “visitors.” He was considered by the Spanish to be the representation of the devil; however, he also has some positive characteristics.

Andean culture is rich in tradition, culture, and art, present in its most important cultural expressions, such as the tribute to Pachamama. We invite you to discover this and much more with our team of professionals at CuscoPeru.com.