Sacred ceremonies play a large part in the lives of the indigenous people of the high Andes.  Much preparation and care is taken to make sure the ceremonial foundation adheres to the ancient wisdom teachings.   

The indigenous people use coca leaves in their spiritual ceremonies.  They regard the spirit of the coca most highly as it offers healing, aids altitude sickness and enables users access to higher dimensional planes of experience.  Some of the wise medicine men and women use the coca leaves to read the future path of an individual, a group or a community much like we in the western world have palm and tarot readers.

During my five-day ‘elder’ experience at Charazani, in a remote area of the highlands of Bolivia, I was expected to take part in some of these ancient ceremonies. Each member of the international circle of elders was given a sacred ceremonial bag in which to place the gifted coca leaves and we were asked to chew upon these leaves during ceremony.  These leaves are also used as an herbal tea infusion that is offered to visitors to the high plateau of Peru and Bolivia.  It certainly aids altitude assimilation and I recommend it most highly to my adventuring Andean groups.

The ceremony for the 2008 September equinox was an awesome experience.  It was held on a mountain top overlooking the small village of Charazani and, from about 5.30AM, in the freezing cold and magical mist, some 150-200 people from all around the world emerged from their rooms or tents and began hiking to this elevated area. On this peak was a large Christian Cross and on the adjacent mountain peak was a large statue of Jesus.  These people have incorporated the Spanish religion into their lives whilst still maintaining their ancient spirituality.

This ceremony however, was completely Andean.  All present were smoked to cleanse their auras and the sacred fire was continually fuelled so it would burn throughout the ceremony.   Men and women filed to the two altars separately, each reverently giving their offerings to Pacchamama (Mother Earth).   The Andean people have tremendous reverence for Pacchamama and Father Inti (the Sun that provides life force energy) and for the elements.  They are completely sincere in their thanksgiving ceremonies. They totally believe that if we do not give thanks for all the food, shelter, warmth and life force energy we receive daily, perhaps one day we may not continue to experience this abundance.  At the conclusion of the two-hour ceremony all enjoyed much frivolity, music and dance.   

The Andean people are poor by western material standards but so rich in their spirituality.  It is an enriching and life-changing experience to learn of their way of life and their ancient culture.

For those interested in experiencing the Andean culture with me you may care to check out the 2009 adventure by 'Clicking Here'.

Ashtara