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THE CEREMONY "PAGO A LA TIERRA" IN HONOUR OF "MOTHER EARTH" ON THE ISLAND OF AMANTANI
Every January on the day of St. Sebastian the people of Amantaní sing and dance at the top of the hills of the Pachamama (Llaquistiti) and Pachatata (Coanos) mountain, honouring the Pachamama, "Mother Earth".
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It is the traditional celebration of "Pago a la Tierra" (Payment to Earth). Once a year, on the second Thursday of January, the gates of the sacred fields open. The "Pako" (wise indigenous man) and his assistant enter the santuaries.
Thus, for the offering the wise men bring along various ritual objects. These objects are arranged in a traditional order on a colourful cloth bedded on the finest llama-wool - this is called the "mesa". For the ceremony they need:
1. coca leaves 4. incense and k´oa
2. llama fat 5. red wine
3. a llama feto 6. shells
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When the "mesa" is set, the "Pako" greets the powerful mountain gods, the "Apus" at the four cardinal points, starting in the direction of the rising sun.
After the ceremony, the ritual objects are burned and the ashes buried in a shrine inside the sacred field. Then the traditional dancing starts.
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WEDDING CELEBRATION
ON THE ISLAND OF AMANTANI
Traditionally, the celebration took place in the month of May, the "month of love". The Elders tell that in former times the young man made the girl of his dreams fall in love with him by playing sentimental melodies on his quena or charango, while herding sheep on top of the hills.
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During the "mass of love" the relatives of the young couple arrange the wedding date and agree upon the padrinos, the godfathers, who will help to organize the wedding. Throughout the couples marriage, the padrinos will provide a "listening ear" in times of trouble, as well as financial support when necessary.
Often more than 300 guests celebrate the marriage. In the so-called lamara, the cabin or "altar of love" (traditionally built out of the branches of the ccolle-tree and carefully decorated with the kantuta-flowers) the bride and groom are congratulated by their guests, whereupon wedding gifts are gratefully received.
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Money, pinned to the clothes of the couple, pots and pans, and vegetables such as corn, oca and potatoes are some of the gifts that are traditionally given.
Over three days of celebration the guests enjoy delicious wedding food washed down with chicha (a drink made from barley) and dancing to the sounds of the local band.
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