The Ceremony to Pachamama, a ritual to connect with nature

Visiting Tucumán is an experience that invites us to connect with nature and with the ancestral teachings that indigenous peoples have to offer us. Without a doubt, the best destination for these experiences is in those communities nestled in the Calchaquí Valley, where Mother Earth is worshipped as the origin of life.

Every 1st of August, in these towns, the Day of Pachamama is celebrated, an exceptional day to thank Mother Earth for everything she has given us and to ask for prosperity for the upcoming season.

The ritual to our Pacha begins very early with the collection of the best the harvests have given us as offerings to thank for this year's fruits and abundance. The ceremony’s opening is led by the elders and is accompanied by singing to ancestors and the earth. Those who observe and interpret celestial bodies read stones to give predictions about rains and crops for the upcoming season. A request is made to spirits so that there will be no shortage of water while invoking divine light from Tata Inti (Father Sun) and southern and northern winds to the Wayra. (God of wind)

One of the most prominent rituals on this date is drinking the traditional rue tea, a custom that arose from a warning that August, when cold intensifies, was when there was an increase in deaths among people and livestock. Hence why it's said that “rue tea against evil helps". Another ancestral ritual is smudging, performed to ward off bad energies while attracting good ones. The central ceremony moment is during the uncovering of Pachamama's mouth, revealing what the next season will be like.

Where you can share the festivities this year

One of the main celebrations of every August 1st takes place in the Sacred City of Quilmes, organized by the community. On this occasion, you can participate in the experience, starting early. At 8 o'clock, the activities begin with the reading of the stone and the subsequent opening of the apacheta, to then continue with the round to share the rue tea and participate in the community smoke and the reception of offerings. At 11 a.m., the gathering of copleros and masters of ceremony begins, where the corpachada, the most important ritual, takes place. The activities include a community lunch enlivened by artists who will add rhythm and music to the meeting.

Amaicha del Valle also awaits Tucumanos and visitors from the region for this special date. The activities begin on July 31 at 10:30 p.m. at the Community House, where the traditional Velada de Olla, a folkloric festival and ancestral incense is held. On August 1st, the celebrations for Pachamama begin at 10 a.m. with the central ceremony and the reading of the time stone.

Yerba Buena also organizes a celebration to venerate Mother Earth. On August 4th, starting at 10 a.m., the “Cooking for Pachamama” meeting is held at the House of Culture. During this event, participants learn to prepare ancestral dishes and can taste them, in a festive setting with live music. Each attendee can bring their offering to Mother Earth to deliver during the event.

Lastly, another must-see on this date is the Pachamama Museum located on Provincial Route 307 in Amaicha del Valle. In its rooms, you can see vases, utensils, clothing, instruments, sculptures, paintings and tapestries from different pre-Columbian cultures. One of its main attractions is its patio, a stone fortress where sculptures of Pachamama, Inti, Quilla, the two-headed viper of the Awada culture, the warrior of the moon and the table of the 12 chieftains are exhibited. The museum is open from Monday to Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. On Sundays, it can be visited from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The general admission fee is $4,000.

Find out about the rest of the activities to celebrate Pachamama Day at https://www.tucumanturismo.gob.ar/eventos.