Rituals and customs in the Sacred Valley

The Sacred Valley of the Incas is one of the most mystical and cultural destinations in the world, full of beautiful landscapes is a place where you will discover traditions, mysteries and Andean and Inca architecture. Since ancient times, the communities of this territory have kept alive many of their customs, transmitting them from generation to generation. Through festivities, rituals and daily practices, they continue to honor nature and its deities. In this article, we will explore some of these customs that are still practiced, highlighting their cultural value and significance for the local communities.

Content

• Importance of the Sacred Valley of the Incas
• The most important rituals and customs in the Sacred Valley
  • Ceremonial rituals
  • Spiritual rituals
  • Medicinal plants: Ayahuasca and San Pedro
• Frequently Asked Questions

Importance of the Sacred Valley of the Incas

The Sacred Valley is one of the most emblematic regions of the Andean world. This valley stretches between the towns of Pisac and Ollantaytambo, including multiple villages, archaeological sites, Inca temples, and communities that have kept the customs of their ancestors alive. Discover the archaeological sites in the Sacred Valley in Cusco.

During the Inca Empire, the Sacred Valley was a fundamental agricultural center, thanks to its favorable climate and fertile lands. Additionally, it was a strategic place for the administration of the empire and a spiritual refuge where temples dedicated to the Sun, the Moon, and the Apus (sacred mountains) were built. Today, it remains a place of great significance for its culture, attracting visitors who seek a cultural, mystical, and restful destination.

The most important rituals and customs in the Sacred Valley

Talking about rituals and customs means delving into the lifestyle of the people who practice them. Among the great diversity of these, we find the Andean community, which has preserved them since ancient times, giving value to the mystical, where energies and the importance of the collective community play a leading role in their worldview. Among the most important are the following:

Ceremonial rituals

• Payment to Pachamama

  The payment to Pachamama is one of the most representative rituals of the Andean worldview. This act is an offering of gratitude to Mother Earth for her abundance and protection. It is performed at various times of the year, but especially in August, considered the month of Pachamama.

  • Origin and meaning: The payment to Pachamama has pre-Inca roots and has remained a central practice in the lives of Andean people throughout the centuries. In their worldview, the earth and humans are of equal importance, not a resource to be exploited, but a living being with which they maintain a relationship of reciprocity. This belief still persists today, teaching how humans can live in harmony with their environment without seeking only their own benefit.
  • How it is performed today: The ritual is led by a shaman (Andean priest), who prepares a ritual table with symbolic elements such as coca leaves, corn, chicha, incense, and sweets, with each element serving a purpose. Prosperity or the desired goal is requested, and afterward, the offering is either burned or buried in the earth as a sacrifice in a show of respect.
  • Where it is practiced: This ritual is common in places like Pisac, Chinchero, Urubamba, and Ollantaytambo. Both local residents and tourists can participate in these ceremonies, seeking spiritual connection and harmony with nature.

• The Varayoc

  In several communities in the Sacred Valley, the traditional system of government is still maintained through the figure of the Varayoc. This is an ancestral authority who leads the community, and their election is accompanied by a symbolic ritual.

  • Inauguration Ceremony: The Varayoc receives their staff of command (sacred staff) in a ceremony that includes music, dances, and purification rituals. In Chinchero and Ollantaytambo, this tradition continues as a form of social organization, where the Varayoc is responsible for maintaining order and resolving conflicts.

Spiritual rituals

• Cruz Velacuy

  The celebration of Cruz Velacuy is one of the manifestations of religious syncretism that is preserved in the valley. It takes place in May and involves the veneration of sacred crosses, which are considered symbols of protection and spiritual guidance. During the celebration, the communities hold a mass in honor of the Cross. Participants sing prayers and chants, while making offerings that may include flowers, coca leaves, and other symbolic elements. This ceremony fuses Catholic elements with Andean traditions, highlighting the resilience of ancestral beliefs.

• Coca Leaf Reading

  The coca leaf, venerated since ancient times, is used in divination rituals and communication with the spiritual world. In coca leaf reading, a shaman or Andean priest scatters leaves on a cloth, and from their arrangement and markings, interprets messages related to destiny, health, or crucial decisions in a person’s life. This practice, passed down through generations, is considered a means to access the wisdom of the ancestors and receive mystical guidance.

• Flourishing Baths

  Flourishing baths are purification and renewal rituals that use the power of plants, water, and the energy of flowers. It is believed that these baths help eliminate accumulated negative energies, facilitating the opening of the spirit and mind to receive blessings. In communities around Urubamba and other parts of the valley, ceremonies are held where participants bathe in waters infused with petals and sacred herbs, accompanied by prayers and songs invoking the renewal of luck.

• Apachetas

  Along the paths and trails of the Sacred Valley, it is common to find apachetas, small mounds of stacked stones built by travelers along their journey. These structures are symbolic offerings meant to honor Pachamama and the Apus, asking for protection during the trip. Each stone placed represents a wish, a prayer, or a thank-you. The tradition of leaving an apacheta has become a spontaneous ritual that visitors perform along their way, giving it a more spiritual and lucky significance.

• Andean New Year

  The winter solstice, celebrated on June 21, marks the beginning of the Andean New Year. This date is particularly significant for Andean communities, as it symbolizes the renewal of the agricultural cycle and the hope for a new beginning. During this celebration, ceremonies are organized at sacred sites such as Ollantaytambo and Moray, where offerings, dances, and gratitude rituals are held to welcome the first light of the sun. This act of renewal not only strengthens the connection with the natural cycle but also serves as a reminder of the transformative power of time and the importance of honoring the cycle of life.

Medicinal plants: Ayahuasca and San Pedro

The use of sacred plants for healing and spiritual purposes has been an essential part of Andean tradition. Among the most prominent are ayahuasca and the San Pedro cactus, each with its own rituals and meanings.

• Ayahuasca

  Ayahuasca is a drink made from the vine “Banisteriopsis caapi” and other plants that, when combined, create a powerful psychoactive substance. Used by shamans and healers for centuries, ayahuasca is considered a tool to access higher planes of consciousness, allowing the participant to connect with ancestral memories, receive visions, and heal both physically and spiritually.

  • Origins and Ancestral Legacy: Ayahuasca rituals have a long tradition in various Amazonian and Andean cultures. In the Sacred Valley, although not as widespread as in the Amazon, ceremonies have been incorporated where spiritual guides are called upon to lead the group through introspective journeys. The drink is treated with great respect, as it is believed to contain the wisdom of Mother Earth and the spirits of the ancestors.
  • How the Ceremony is Performed: Ayahuasca ceremonies are held in a controlled and sacred environment, typically in mystical centers or open-air spaces, where an atmosphere of introspection and meditation is created. During the session, the shaman guides the participants with chants, prayers, and the use of traditional instruments, helping them interpret the visions and integrate the teachings received into their daily lives. The experience, often described as transformative, invites reflection on the meaning of existence and connection with the universe.

• San Pedro: The Flower of the Dawn

  The San Pedro cactus, also known as Wachuma, is another sacred plant used in healing and self-knowledge ceremonies. Unlike ayahuasca, whose effects focus on exploring the subconscious, San Pedro generates a more emotional experience, “opening the heart” and facilitating communication with nature.

  • History and Traditional Use: The use of San Pedro dates back to pre-Inca times when it was used in rituals for healing and divination. In the Sacred Valley, this plant has been incorporated into ceremonies aimed at purification and spiritual awakening. Shamans prepare infusions from the cactus, which are consumed in a ceremonial environment accompanied by music that invites introspection.
  • The San Pedro Ritual: During the ceremony, a respectful and communal atmosphere is established, where participants gather in a circle and share their experiences. Offerings are made to Pachamama, and the messages that arise during the trance induced by the plant are interpreted. Many testimonies speak of a sense of inner renewal, finding answers to deep questions, and a stronger connection with being present in life.

Frequently Asked Questions

• 1. What are the main rituals and customs practiced in the Sacred Valley?

  Among the most representative rituals are the offering to Pachamama, the Varayoc ceremony, and other spiritual connection rites such as Cruz Velacuy, coca leaf reading, flowering baths, and the Andean New Year. Additionally, sacred plant ceremonies like ayahuasca and the San Pedro cactus are practiced.

• 2. What is the payment to Pachamama?

  The payment to Pachamama is an offering of gratitude and reciprocity towards Mother Earth.

• 3. Who is the Varayoc?

  The Varayoc is an ancestral authority figure in some Andean communities.

• 4. When is the Andean New Year?

  The Andean New Year is celebrated on June 21 during the winter solstice, marking the beginning of a new agricultural cycle.

• 5. How are these traditions integrated into modern life in the Sacred Valley?

  Despite the changes brought by modernity and tourism, the communities of the Sacred Valley have managed to preserve their ancestral rituals and customs. Many of these rituals are adapted to contemporary contexts without losing their essence, allowing both locals and visitors to experience and learn from them.

• 6. What role does tourism play in preserving these traditions?

  Cultural and spiritual tourism in the Sacred Valley has contributed to spreading and valuing Andean traditions. By participating in these rituals, visitors not only enjoy a unique experience but also support the local communities economically.

• 7. What are the main places that make up the Sacred Valley?

  The Sacred Valley includes Pisac, Calca, Urubamba, Ollantaytambo, and Chinchero.

• 8. Are there tours to visit the entire Sacred Valley?

  Yes, there are multiple options to tour the Sacred Valley. We recommend checking our website to make sure you don’t miss the opportunity to explore it.