What is the meaning of Pachamama? Concept, Definition of Pachamama

Pachamama: Compendium of definitions and concepts

Definition of Pachamama

It is the fundamental explanatory principle in the worldview of the Andean indigenous peoples in South America. Pachamama or pacha (pacha quechua and Aymara: Earth and also "world", "cosmos"; MOM: mother is saying "Mother earth") is the core of the system of beliefs and sort action among indigenous peoples of the Andes Central of South America (Merlino y Rabey 1993).
The Pachamama (mother earth) divinity represents the Earth, but not only the soil or geological land, as well as not only nature; all this is in its entirety. It is not located in a specific place, but it is concentrated in certain places such as springs, slopes, or "apachetas". But it is an immediate and daily, deity that acts directly, by presence and with which converses permanently, either asking sustenance or apologizing for an offense committed against the Earth and everything that provides us with.
It is not a creative but protective divinity and provider; blanket men, allows life and favours the fertility. In exchange for this assistance and protection, the pastor of the southern Puna is obliged to make offerings to the Pacha part which receives, not only in the moments and sites default to the ritual but, particularly, in all culturally significant events, thus setting up a sort of reciprocity". However it is considered also with a negative face: Pachamama is often hungry and if not it nourishes it with offerings or if you casually offends, it causes diseases.

Concept of Pachamama

Pachamama is a concept that comes from the quechua language. Pacha can be translated as "world" or "Earth", while MOM is equivalent to 'mother'. Why is usually explained that the Pachamama is, for certain Andean ethnicities, mother earth.
It is, in short, a sort of divinity or the center of the worldview of these groups. LaPachamama is not only the planet (the terrestrial sphere), but it encompasses much more. It is the naturalezaque is in constant contact with human beings, with whom even interacts through various rituals.
Means that the Pachamama protects the peopleand allows them to live thanks to everything which gives: water, food, etc. Men, must therefore take care to the Pachamama and pay tribute to him.
The cult of the Pachamama varies according to ethnicity and also changed with the years. In ancient times animals were sacrificed in his honor; Currently, it is instead, more common is to bury cigarettes, bottles of wine, coca leaves and other products by way of offering. The intention is to entertain the Pachamama for to this returned the gesture with good harvests, favourable climatic conditions, etc.
Today it is usual that the Quechua, the Aymara and their descendants combine the traditional cult of the Pachamama with the religious Catholic, predominant in the South American countries where they settle. This makes that the rituals and offerings to mother earth be developed parallel to other festivities and typical acts of Christianity.