On August 1st, the Day of Pachamama is celebrated in the high Andean communities of Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina. The Andes region is characterized by a culture rooted in pre-Inca and Inca civilizations, expressed through its festivals, customs, and traditions.
Many people have a close connection with Mother Earth (Pachamama in Quechua). For this reason, every August 1st they perform a ceremony known as the offering to Pachamama, which represents the earth and all the nature that provides us with the place and resources we need to live.
The Incas held the greatest respect for her. She was one of their deities, alongside Inti, the Sun god. Before certain festivities, they used to perform a previous ceremony of gratitude, a moment when the earth eats, drinks, and smokes. It was a time to give back much of what she has given to us.
To understand the meaning of the Quechua word “Pachamama,” we must first break it down into two parts: on one hand, the term “pacha,” which means earth, world, universe, and time period; and on the other hand, the term “mama,” which means mother. By combining both terms, we obtain the meaning of “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 has life. Nothing is considered inanimate in the Andean worldview. The stars, the universe, the moon, and especially the sun are also considered to have life.
Most high Andean communities have had and continue to have a deep dependence on and connection with agriculture. August is the month when they prepare to receive the new harvests. On the Day of Pachamama, Andean people seek to return to the earth everything they have received from it, showing their gratitude and asking that future harvests may also be abundant and prosperous.
Today, many people perform this ritual to express gratitude and also to prevent situations that may not be beneficial for them. According to local tradition, offerings may include coca leaves, some coins, lliclla (a traditional blanket with Inca motifs), food, among other elements.
The festivities for the Day of Pachamama involve farmers, homemakers, workers, agricultural communities, children, authorities, neighborhood associations, and other organizations.
As part of the celebrations for the Day of Pachamama, men and women from high Andean communities gather on August 1st for a ceremony that includes, among other elements:
At the end of the ceremony, wood or firewood is placed inside the hole. Everything mentioned above is wrapped with the lliclla and, finally, consumed by fire before being covered with earth. Throughout the ceremony, people drink beer, enjoy traditional dishes, and celebrate with dances and music.
Pre-Inca civilizations (Moche, Chimú, Chanka, Tiahuanaco, jungle ethnic groups, among others) shared with the Incas a concept based on a single entity that represented both God and nature. The Incas were familiar with this belief system, and it became one of the foundations of their expansion as they spread these ideas throughout their empire.
According to the Inca worldview, space and time were divided into three realms:
Hanan Pacha: This word means “the upper world.” It was the celestial realm, reserved for those who had lived a just life and could be reached through a bridge made of hair. In this superior world lived the most important gods, such as Wiracocha, as explained below.
Kay Pacha: This word means “the present world, the here and now.” It is the world inhabited by humans, animals, and some deities such as Pachamama, Mama Sara, and Pariacaca.
Uku Pacha: This word means “the lower world, the world of the dead.” According to Andean mythology, this realm was inhabited by unborn children, the deceased, and everything beneath the surface of the earth or sea. They believed that caves, springs, and other openings on the earth’s surface were actually portals or connection points between Uku Pacha and Kay Pacha.
Inca religious beliefs integrated deities connected 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 accounting and administrative recording system, consisting of a main cord with colored hanging threads and knots called “Khipus,” they did not develop alphabetic writing. Therefore, most of their traditions and myths were transmitted orally from generation to generation.
As mentioned above, Inca religion was pantheistic, meaning that it believed in a single entity representing both creation and nature. However, Wiracocha was one of the most important creator deities within certain Andean and Inca traditions.
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Yes, it is possible to find ceremonies open to visitors in certain places and on specific dates. However, not all ceremonies are public, so it is important to respect the community’s guidelines and participate only when permission is granted.
The best approach is to maintain a respectful attitude, follow the instructions of those leading the ceremony, and avoid interrupting moments of prayer, offerings, or community participation.
It depends on each community and the type of ceremony. Before photographing participants or recording the ritual, it is recommended to ask for permission and respect any instructions from the organizers.
Not necessarily. The elements, forms of participation, and practices may vary depending on the community, region, and local traditions. Therefore, there is no single way to perform this ritual.
This tradition can be found in different communities and rural areas of the Cusco region. The possibility of participating in or witnessing a ceremony will depend on the community, the date, and the organization of each activity.
It may be appropriate when the community itself invites visitors to participate. In these cases, the most important thing is to follow the guidance of those conducting the ceremony and avoid intervening on your own in the offerings or ritual elements.
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