Inspiration

Pachamama, as she is known to indigenous people of the Andes highlands, is a symbol of fertility. Pachamama is the mother of Inti the sun and Mama Killa, the moon. In the indigenous Quechua language, Pachamama (also known as Mama Pacha) translates as Mother Earth or Mother Cosmos. She oversees life by nourishing and protecting it’s inhabitants, her children. She is still an important aspect of spirituality in Peru today. Indigenous Andean people believe strongly in the importance of living in harmony with nature and not taking too much from her. When she is disrespected, it is believed that problems will arise, such as earthquakes. 

To ensure Pachamama continues to feed and protect, regular offerings are made to her. This is known as pago a la tierra (payment to the earth). These ceremonies consist of offerings of traditional items such as coca leaves, huayruro seeds, and chicha (a corn beer). One of the most common offerings to the Pachamama in the Aymara culture is a llama fetus which, once dried, is buried under the foundations of a building or in the crop fields during August to attract wealth and wellbeing and to keep bad energy away.