- Title: BOLIVIA: Aymara community pay homage to Mother Earth
- Date: 3rd August 2008
- Summary: PAJCHIRI, LA PAZ , BOLIVIA (AUGUST 1, 2008) (REUTERS) PANORAMA OF SUN GENERAL OF AYMARA FATHER YATIRI, BACK TO THE SUN, BEGINNING PACHAMAMA (MOTHER EARTH) RITUAL VARIOUS OF YATIRI PANORAMA OF CLIFFS VARIOUS OF CLIFFS SURROUNDING SACRED LAKE TITICACA GENERAL OF PAJCHIRI CLIFF VARIOUS OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE SCALING HILL TO COMMENCE OFFERING GENERAL OF PEAK OF PAJCHIRI CLIFF
- Embargoed: 18th August 2008 13:00
- Keywords:
- Topics: Religion
- Reuters ID: LVAEY78LEYR8KOK8I5H9LSD5ZQ7Q
- Story Text: As they have done for thousands of years, the Aymara people in western Bolivia gathered on Friday (August 1) to honour Mother Earth - Pachamama in the Aymara language.
The tradition, with its roots in ancient Andean cultures, says the first of August must coincide with a ceremonial offering to Pachamama. The ritual begins at dawn, on the scenic hills and cliffs that surround Lake Titicaca.
Beginning at dawn, the ceremony includes fires which are believed to carry away bad energy.
A white llama, adorned with a table of sweets, is ritually sacrificed, and its blood is officially offered to the surrounding countryside.
Legend has it that the reproduction of the native peoples pass through the "mother earth" and that the earth needs blood and if it doesn't get it from sacrifice, then it may take it from people.
"It's our tradition, from our parents, and from our grandparents, we give offerings from the bottom our hearts to the lands even though it's difficult, we do it so the cycles of life goes on, for health, for businesses, for everything at all times. The land around here has much life in it. Here we give them a lot of support and they do the same for us afterwards," said Marcelino Mayta Quispe, an Aymara Priest.
The act is timed to coincide with the first sun rays of the day, said to symbolize the arrival of the first rains for harvesting.
During the sacrifice, an Aymara priest mutilates the llama with knife in hand. The blood is then spread about the ground, and the head and the heart are buried as a final act.
"This is a holy site, and we all hope our wishes come true: regardless, we know we have to respect the Pachamama every August,"
Shirley Frias, a participant, said.
Politicians have for years taken part in the ceremony to ask for help in elections. This year's ceremony comes as Bolivian President, Evo Morales, prepares for an August 10 recall vote which could decide his future as the country's leader. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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