Perú(part-7):‘Shamans’ the essential figures of Andean Culture скачать в хорошем качестве

Perú(part-7):‘Shamans’ the essential figures of Andean Culture

In Peru, Ancestral traditions, that date back to the time of incas (or perhaps 1000s of years back), are still being practiced today. An offering to “Pachamama” which means “Mother Earth”, in Quechuan language, is one of Peru’s oldest, and most sacred, rituals, that allows the people of Andes to give thanks to mother earth. “Pachamama” is revered as the fertility Goddess, who has the power to sustain, or destroy, life on earth. They believe in giving back, what they have taken from Her(Pachamama); a kind of reciprocity between the material and spiritual world, and a chance to rebalance the relationship between man and nature so that man may take from the land once more. Every small offering offered is purely natural, symbolizing that we’re giving back what we have already taken from the earth. One of the essential figures of the native Peruvian/Amazonian/Andean cultures are theShamans. They are the ‘Spiritual Guides’, ‘The Native Doctors’ or ‘The Healing Wizards’, healing the ailments with the power of earth. They have ancient knowledge, possessing higher level of consciousness. They are considered to be wise, who are in touch with the link between them, the spirits and the nature. They live in isolation learning to connect on their own with self, spirits and the nature through their inner consciousness. Native Peruvians believe that being a Shaman is not a choice chosen by the individual himself, but, it is the God, who chooses and grants the special gift, conferring the healing powers to the right person. The history of these shamans is wide and mystical. During the offering or prayer, the Shaman carefully selects three cocoa leaves and fans them out with each stem facing down towards the ground. This is the K’intus; a “bouquet” that represents the coming together of a prayer or offering, with the tips of the leaves reaching up to Inti Tayta( the Sun and the Sky) and the stems down to Mother Earth. With mother earth’s blessing, and the Shaman”s approval, we were now ready to take on the unknown. Its our 25th wedding anniversary, We feel blessed to make an offering to Mother Earth with Shaman;Reconnect with nature and walk towards a state of greater health and well being;Connecting with all that is sacred and wonderful, which is found in the forces of nature.The ‘spiritual guides’ or the local shamans teach and ‘inspirit’ the desciples’ towards an awareness and control of their inner powers, which they claim to be the Inca way. whether you believe it or not , There’s an energy in these kinds of rituals that has an indesirable effect on you. Its an unique experience. After the offering we had the traditional coca leaves tea. Coca leaves were revered and considered sacred by the Incas because of their healing qualities. They are still in use the same way as they were during the Inca times. Chewing Cocoa leaves helps to combat the altitude sickness and being a mild stimulant it also fights fatigue boosting the stamina and energy levels, It keeps hunger, thirst and pain at bay, relieves headache, sore throat and stomach problems, without the euphoria and psychoactive effects of cocaine. They are considered to be a‘miracle medicine’ . Coca leaves form the national identiy and cultural heritage of Peru because of their health benefits and healing powers. Coca tea, is an antidote for altitude sickness and forms an integral drink in the daily life of Peruvians. Its offered as the welcome drink and in breakfast, coca leaves are readily available in the hotel lobbies to help the tourist get through the journey in high Andes. Quechua ladies are seen dressed in colorful traditional wear, adding beauty to the entire surroundings, watching the vibrant colorful atmosphere; imbibing and infusing the positive energy within through the offerings to “Pachamama” is a divine experience; rekindling, reviving, rejuvenating to body, mind and soul.