Central and South Andean communities celebrate Pachamama on August 1, but preparations start the night before on July 31.
Pachamama
Pachamama is the Quechuan and Aymaran name for Mother Earth. It literally means world mother, but also refers to her spirit. If you need equivalence to understand, she is the Andean Virgin Mary.
We respect her all year long, but especially on August 1st across Tawantinsuyu, the former Inca Empire in Peru, Ecuador, Bolivia, and parts of Chile and northern Argentina.
In the central and southern Andes, August is the coldest month, and it is hard to stay healthy during this time. That is one of the reasons we honor Pachamama. Also, the planting season begins soon, and the traditions prepare the community for the important planting work ahead.
Traditions
This is basically New Year in Latin America’s southern hemisphere. Like many other cultures, we perform cleaning rituals.
Families cook all night on July 31st. Then they go to a water place and make an offering to Pachamama before enjoying a family feast. People toast her with chicha, the Andean corn beer.