M. recently completed one of the most important tasks to date: a Pacha Mama offering (a house blessing). August is the official month of Pacha Mama (Mother Earth). During this time Bolivians from all walks of life celebrate a very old ritual: to ask Pacha Mama to bless their home and in return they give a modest offering to the Earth. Bolivians wait patiently in long lines outside of vendor booths selling “pre-made” offerings. But since M. wasn’t here to travel through a Bolivian street market with me, he made his own. Here’s how:
FIRST, M. began assembling the traditional offering items. Since some items aren’t available in Tampa, he had to improvise and be creative with a symbolic interpretation of each item:
FIRST, M. began assembling the traditional offering items. Since some items aren’t available in Tampa, he had to improvise and be creative with a symbolic interpretation of each item:
- A COCA TEA BAG - to ask forgiveness of the Earth and environment for breaking ground with the construction of your house …true tradition calls for using actual coca leaves, which are illegal to bring into the U.S., but coca tea bags are allowed and they are made from shredded coca leaves);
- A LLAMA FIGURINE - to give life back to the Earth… true tradition calls for using a llama fetus, but those aren’t readily available in Tampa plus the (ick!) factor…
- BROWN SUGAR - to protect against bitterness in your home; and
- MONEY/COINS - so that your household will never be without money
SECOND, M. found a place in our yard that would likely go undisturbed (among our banana palms), and buried the offering into the earth, and poured beer over it for "luck" (Pacha Mama is thirsty after all!). Tradition calls for using Bolivia liquor or beer, but since none was available we made do with an old Heineken in the back of the fridge.
Remember that to make an offering, it is the INTENTION that counts, not a strict interpretation of tradition. Some other common offering items include candies and cigarettes, but we felt good about the symbolic contents of our offering. I can’t help but wonder what other house-blessing traditions exist in other parts of the world ... 
