Spirituality and the Pachamama in the Andean Aymara Worldview - Earth Stewardship: Linking Ecology and Ethics in Theory and Practice - page 74

Fig. 6.4 Quechua men from Tarabuco, Bolivia dancing and playing the zampoña or reed pipes, a
traditional musical instrument of the Aymara and Quechua. The earth is usually the center of such
celebrations (Photo by Roy H. May Jr.)

and sister, so when they ask, they must not be denied. These various community
practices of solidarity, reciprocity, and generosity continue to be practiced even as
individualism and neoliberalism creep into traditional Aymara culture (Fig. 6.4 ).

6.6 Conclusion

This brief review shows the importance of cultural values and the role of traditional
religion in the daily life of the Aymara. Among the positive, relevant values are reci-
procity, solidarity, collective labor, respect for nature, neighbors, animals, village wis-
dom, equilibrium, family unity and others. Through a multiplicity of rituals Aymara
people are able to converse with and enter into communion with nature: they speak
with the mother earth, with agricultural products, with the hills and mountains, rivers,
rocks, trees, and with protector spirits. All these answer and give signs for living. In this
spirit we are called to commit ourselves to being little birds that announce planting,
fl ourishing, and harvesting of Aymara culture and the Earth itself, the Pachamama .