Pachamama or Pacha mama comes from the quechua language. Pacha means ‘world’ and mama means ‘mother’, and can therefore be translated as Mother Earth. It represents the Goddess that exists in all elements of nature. It is the spirit of the land, and it is central to Andean and South American cultures.
Devotion of the Pachamama is present throughout Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. It is even given constitutional recognition in Bolivia. The veneration includes ceremonies that consist of offerings to request permission before organizing important activities; as a good omen for crops; to overcome adversities; or to request protection for animals, people, and communities, among other things.
Devotion of the Pachamama is present throughout Peru, Ecuador, Chile, Colombia, and Argentina. It is even given constitutional recognition in Bolivia. The veneration includes ceremonies that consist of offerings to request permission before organizing important activities; as a good omen for crops; to overcome adversities; or to request protection for animals, people, and communities, among other things.
References:
Referencia bibliográfica:
Pueblos Originarios. Dioses y Personajes Míticos. Pachamama.
Constitución Política del Estado Plurinacional de Bolivia. (2009).
Photo credit: Alexandre Laprise