PACHAMAMA

''This article is about the inca goddess. For the Film Distributor, see Pachamama Cine.''
In Inca mythology, 'Mama Pacha' or 'Pachamama' was a dragon fertility goddess who presided over planting and harvesting. She caused earthquakes. Her husband was either Pacha Camac or Inti, depending on the source. Llamas were sacrificed to her. After conquest by Catholic Spain her image was replaced by the Virgin Mary, with whom she is identified in some parts of Chile, Bolivia and Peru.
Pachamama is usually translated as "Mother Earth" (in Aymara mama = mother / pacha = earth), Pachamama and Inti are always seen as the most benevolent deities and is usual to see people still worshiping these gods among some parts of the Andean mountain ranges, such as Tahuantinsuyu.
Since Pachamama is seen as a "good mother", people usually toast to her honor before every meeting or festivity, in some regions by spilling a small amount of chicha on the floor, before drinking the rest. This toast is called "challa" and its made almost everyday. Pachamama has a special worship day called "Martes de challa" (Challa's Tuesday) where people bury food, throw candies, burn incense. In some cases, celebrants assist to traditional priests called "yatiris" in ancient rites to bring good luck or the good will of the goddess, such as sacrificing guinea pigs or burning llama fetuses (although these last two are no longer very common). The festival is after carnival and one day before the Catholic "miércoles de ceniza" (Ash Wednesday).