Pachamanca – The banquet of Mother Earth

Interculturality

Pachamanka: 

The Andean cosmovision as described through food preparation and cooking

Aurelio Castillo Posadas

Introduction

This article focuses on a specific method of preparation and cooking considered to be the unifying ritual which takes place between humans and their natural environment, also known as La Pachamama(Mother Nature) which consists of the land and other natural elements such as the sun, mountains and the wind. These elements also play a role in allowing the population to supply themselves with food through their agricultural practices. This is what is meant by Pachamanca; a traditional cooking ritual that was originally celebrated during the harvest season. The food is cooked underground, as a demonstration of gratitude to the earth on behalf of the human. This ritual recreates a reciprocal cycle of offerings and mutual labour whereby humans do not only rely on the earth to supply its food, but also to cook it.…