Offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth): An Ancestral Tradition That Lives On

In the Andes, Pachamama is not just a deity. She is a living being — a protective and generous Mother who provides everything we need to exist: food, water, shelter, and energy. The offering to Pachamama is an ancestral practice that expresses gratitude to Mother Earth and maintains harmony between humans and nature.

What is the offering to Pachamama?

It is a ritual of thankfulness in which symbolic elements are given back to the earth as a way of returning what she offers us every day. This ceremony is performed in rural Andean communities as well as in urban settings, especially during the month of August, considered the time when Pachamama “opens her mouth” to receive offerings.

Items used in the ceremony of offering to Pachamama

Although the rituals vary by region, there are common elements found in most offerings:

Coca leaves – a sacred symbol of respect and communication with the divine.
Chicha or wine – small drops are poured onto the ground before drinking.
Grains and seeds – representing fertility and abundance.
Llama fat – considered special nourishment for Mother Earth.
Candy or sweets – expressing wishes for joy and prosperity.
Flowers – providing beauty and freshness to the ritual.

How is the offering performed?

Preparing the space – a special place is chosen, often a field, garden, or even a small altar at home.
Invocation – a spiritual guide or family member invokes Pachamama and the apus (mountain spirits) to ask for permission.
Laying the offerings – the elements are carefully placed in a small opening in the ground or on a ritual cloth and then buried or left openly, depending on regional tradition.
Prayer or expression of gratitude – words of thankfulness and wishes for well-being are spoken for the home, family, and the environment.
Closing – participants share a drink, sealing their connection with Mother Earth.

Why does this tradition remain alive?

Beyond its religious aspect, the offering to Pachamama represents a way to remember our interdependence with nature. In an increasingly industrialized world, this type of ritual invites us to restore a spiritual bond with the planet and to act with greater environmental responsibility.