AUGUST FIRST - PACHAMAMA DAY IN SALTA
In Quechua, Pacha Mama means Mother Earth. Pacha: universe, time, place. Mama: mother, a female god who produces, conceives all things. They say she lives in the very bowels of the earth.
On this day people bury a clay pot near their homes, with cooked food, coca leaves, alcohol, wine, cigars and chicha (fermented sugar cane) to feed Pachamama; and they wear black and white llama wool string around ankles, wrists and neck to avoid punishment from Pachamama.
All garbage is picked up from the streets, homes are cleaned out and scented with various spices favorite to Mother Earth. This is a day to pay our respects to Her, creator of all things, because in the coming month, she may release the firewind (viento Zonda) over the entire argentine northwest.
Hopefully we´ve done well, and Pachamama will take it easy on us.