Pachamama: Bolivia's Spiritual Bond with Mother Earth

Neyza Hurtado, who was struck by lightning at age three, utilizes her experience as a spiritual guide in Bolivia. Sitting by a mountaintop bonfire, her pride is evident in her scarred forehead. Hurtado declares herself a seer, and hundreds in Bolivia enlist her and other Andean spiritual guides for August's Pachamama rituals.

These ceremonies honor Mother Earth, also known as Pachamama, important in the Aymara indigenous worldview. Devotees make offerings known as 'mesitas,' which include wooden logs adorned with sweets, grains, and coca leaves. Often topped with animal fetuses, these offerings are set alight, symbolically quenching Pachamama's thirst with wine or beer.

Rituals are rooted in ancient tradition and aligned with Bolivia's unique climate, as Bolivians express gratitude for Pachamama's fertility. The offerings take hours to burn, and the ashes are buried, strengthening bonds with nature. This enduring practice underscores the balance between humans and the environment in Bolivian culture.

(With inputs from agencies.)