August, “Payment to the Earth” Month

August is a special month for the Andean culture since it is the month of Pachamama or Mother Earth and it is her who receives gratitude offerings for giving all the products during the year.

Many stories are told and believed during Pachamama month in Cusco. For instance, it is believed that if you fall down, earth mother will take ownership of yourself. It is also said that in August  Pachamama is eager to satisfy her basic needs like hunger. Therefore, people offer the best food prepared by the locals.

Offering to Pachamama

Likewise, there are many institutions, companies etc that prepare offerings for the Pachamama. They give these offerings in order to have a good or better year. All of them may ask for a special favor to Mother earth. 

What about you? Have you ever offered payment to the earth? Would you like to take part in this ritual? Join us on this meaningful payment to the earth.

What is payment to the earth?

Payment to the earth is an ancient custom in which our ancestors had a strong bond of respect, love and worship with nature. Andean world religion is based on rituals that create bonds with men and their habitat.

In the Andean cosmovision, Inti (sun) was its most important deity. Apus were the spirits that lived in the mountains, and Mother Earth was the deity of fertility.

As it was mentioned earlier, payment to the earth is a way to show gratitude to the spirits related to natural forces and the benefits we get from their kindness. At present, people still give offerings to the earth when they build a house. They believe that doing so, Pachamama will bless them and protect the property.

It is worth mentioning that August 1st is the special day to offer your payment to Mother Earth. If you arrive in Cusco, we recommend visiting Qorikancha Museum and notice that one room includes a good payment to the earth.

Offerings:

• Coca leaves, which connect men with nature.
• Variety of seeds
• Silver
• Sullus (Fetus of llamas or sheeps)
• Chicha (fermented corn drink)
• Wine
• Animals fat
• Sweets or candy
• Huayruros (seeds with magical and symbolic powers)
• Shells which represent aquatic animals.

How is payment to the earth performed?

First, a sacred and important place is selected. There you have to dig a pit, which will serve to put the offerings and gifts that people will give to  Pachamama.

Next, the offerings will be put on the lliclla that will lie as rug and serve as cover too.

The pit is not that big. generally is 50 cm deep and 1 cm in un diameter approximately. Actually, the size depends on the amount of offerings and gifts that Pachamama will be given.

Once the lliclla is on the floor, place all the ingredients for the payment to the earth that were mentioned earlier.

To complete the payment to the earth, you have to set fire into the pit. Once the fire is on, put the offering covered with the lliclla. While everything is being burnt, all the guests get together to drink the sacred drink of the incas, Chicha de jora (fermented corn). Some others will drink beer.

In addition, during the ceremony, people usually eat typical dishes of the region. They also dance typical dances that are from the area. 

Who is in charge of giving the offerings to Mother Earth?

The person in charge of offering the payment to the earth is always an altomisayoq. Many people who want to take part in this celebration join the event and express their gratitude to Mother Earth.