The North Celebrates Pachamama

Every August, the northern regions of Argentina burst into celebration. It’s the month dedicated to giving thanks to Mother Earth for the harvest, the favorable weather, and the soil’s abundance bestowed over the past year.

Primarily in Jujuy, Salta, and Tucumán, the festivities commence on August 1st and continue until the month’s end. It’s the most popular belief among Latin American indigenous peoples, shared openly with the entire community that wishes to partake.

An Offering to Mother Earth

The ritual of gratitude begins on the first day of the month by cleansing homes to ward off possible harm. The scent of incense, myrrh, and copal fills the air. Each space is purified, just as their ancestors did.

The next step is feeding the Earth. Hosting families invite friends and relatives to share in this important moment. Before lunch, the Earth is blessed; a knife is placed by the side, and a hole is dug. Around it, two candles are lit to illuminate the Earth, adorned with streamers and confetti.

Kneeling at the edge of the hole, the homeowners start the offering. Then come the family members and guests, always in pairs with hands held together. Quinoa, corn, roasted meat, lamb, chicken stew, and more are offered to the Earth. There’s also a special meal prepared, the first plate of which is for Pachamama.

The offering also includes drinks: generally a sweet one, a strong one, and one for sharing. Fruits, coca leaves, and cigarettes are also part of this tradition.

Drinking “caña con ruda”

A tradition to honor Pachamama involves the protection of “caña con ruda.” It’s a homemade remedy to improve health, attract luck, and ward off evil. It’s consumed in August, the month when cold and rains increase, as the saying goes: “July prepares, and August takes away.”

“Caña con ruda” must be prepared in advance: a bottle of cane liquor is mixed with a few male rue leaves and left to macerate. It’s consumed on an empty stomach, usually in three sips, although sometimes people opt for seven or a long gulp. This brew supposedly wards off all the winter ailments, including diseases that typically emerge during these times. Additionally, it acts as a charm against negative energies, others’ envy, and misfortune.

“August must be survived,” is a common saying up north. And what better way to do it than by celebrating and blessing everything Pachamama, our beloved Mother Earth, offers us?

Credit Photo : TSNoa

Credit Photo: Carlos Brigo/Télam/cb