Symbolic Communication and the Notion of “Pachamama” in the “Quechua” and “Aimara” Cultures

Abstract

 The objective of this research is to interpret and understand the symbolic communication and the ritual manifestations of the earthly and aquatic incidence of the descendants of the Inca Empire. The research approach is qualitative, and the method is observation and in-depth interview, to analyze the underlying meanings and patterns of social relationships from the data obtained in field observation and the selection of key informants. The results of the communication and culture are manifested in the ceremony of the offering to the “Pachamama” Mother Earth in the main festivals of the agricultural calendar. As for the aquatic motivation, the water cult ceremony is associated with the symbolic figure of the aquatic beings, such as: the observation of the behavior of the toads, the fish and the birds, in the different months of the year.