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Native American religious beliefs and practices
Native American religious beliefs and practices
Native American religious beliefs and practices
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Willka Wasi “The Sacred House”
“Most indigenous religions have sprung from tribal cultures of small numbers, whose survival has required a cautious and respectful relationship with nature.” (Molloy 37)
Willka Wasi is one of the spiritual paths of the Mystical Andean Tradition.
Its greatest teaching is “Living in harmony with nature, especially with you”
In nature, everything is alive, consequently is not to talk about positive or negative energy, it is only living energy.
A. - The first cultures of Willka Wasi Tradition
1. Willka Wasi includes Pre-Inca (Wari - Ayacucho, Peru, and Tiwanacu - Plateau of the Collao between Peru and Bolivia), and Inca religious beliefs, as well as respect for all spiritual paths and religions.
B. - God and other
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deities 1. Willka Wasi, has only one god, his name is Nojan Kani Kani (Whom we cannot define). 2. They believed Nojan Kani Kani created the earth, stars, and all living things. 3. Other deities: Pachamama (mother earth) Taita Inti (father sun) Killa mama (mother moon) Apus (sacred spirits of the mountains) 4.
Willka Wasi deities occupied the three realms:
Hanan Pacha, the celestial realm in the sky.
Ukhu Pacha, the inner earth realm.
Kay Pacha, the outer earth realm, where humans live.
5. Sacred animals:
Kuntur (Condor)
Quintu (Hummingbird)
Otorongo (Jaguar)
Sachamama (Snake)
Willka Wasi work with the animals of power to be able to guide the people properly.
C. - Priests and Masters
1. Willka Amauta (Sacred Master) who guides the community.
2. Amautas – Willaqoq (Masters), they teach the tradition, and do the ceremonies and rituals. Additionally they are the advisors of the community.
3. Mamaconas (Priestesses), who teach the tradition, and do the balance of the sacred house.
4. Another priest is the Chacaruna (the bridge person); he is the one who helps others to cross from “one side of the river to the other side,” from one state of consciousness to another state of consciousness.
D. – Sacred Plants
1. The Coca leaf is the most sacred plant of the community.
2. Coca helps to communicate with Nojan Kani Kani and deities.
3. The Wachuma or San Pedro, this cactus helps to cross other states of consciousness.
4. The Tobacco leaf is the other sacred
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plant. E.
– Sacred Symbols
1. The Chakana is the most sacred symbol in the community, with this symbol meditation and the prayers are doing.
2. Kero (ceremonial cup), which is used to serve the chicha of jora (sacred drink).
3. The Misha (sacred blanket), in which the objects and sacred stones (cuyas) are wrapped.
4. The Chuspa (sacred bag), in which the coca leaves are stored and transported.
F. – Rituals y Ceremonies
1. Inti Raymi is the main festival in honor of the sun. It celebrates the main harvest on June 24.
2. Aya Marca, held in November, in honor of the dead or ancestors.
3. Karpay is the initiation on the priest’s path.
4. Hatun Karpay is the great initiation on the high priest’s path.
5. Pagapus, alcanzos, despachos: these are different rituals to thank Mother Earth.
Willka Wasi is one of the spiritual paths of the Andean tradition, and it is a personal commitment to walk in Harmony and Balance with Mother Nature. Everything is alive, from a mountain to the human being, which is why it respected and passed on from one generation to the next
one.
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