The Death in the Aymara World

In the Aymara culture, it is believed that the universe is formed by three enormous dimensions: The Alax Pacha (which means the heavenly world), which is composed of the Sun, the Moon, thunder and old wise people. The next dimension is named Manqha Pacha (which means the sinister world). It is believed that, it is in this dimension where the evil spirits are now but it hasn't always been like that, as they were also present in the other two. 

Finally, the third dimension is named Aka Pacha or Pachamama (which means literally, “Mother Earth”). She is the safe-keeper of the Earth, so she gives life. Besides, she is responsible for communicating the previous levels with one another. For this reason, it is said that she receives gifts from the Alax Pacha, for example, the rain, snow, sunshine, and so on. Likewise, she also receives some catastrophes, for instance, earthquakes, plagues, tsunamis, droughts, etc.

In the Aymara world, it is thought that the Alax Pacha and the Manqha Pacha, are always fighting. Consequently, they are against each other, all the time, although The Pachamama tries to give peace to the universe. To achieve this, one day a year, The Pachamama opens the doors of these three worlds, and she allows the good & evil, the good spirits and bad spirits to be mixed with the humans.

This day is known as 'All Saints' Day'. It is celebrated on the first of November. Then, it is said that at twelve o'clock, the doors are opened for everybody who had passed away and also for all the spirits. Each one of which decides if they go up or go down to The Aka Pacha.

This trip is supposed to be made by means of a stair made of bread or also it could be made riding over a horse made of bread too.

All people who have a relative that has passed away prepare a special table with some of the favourite fruit, sweets, dishes, cakes, biscuits and drinks that the dead person had enjoyed when he or she was still alive.

The most common food in the tables are t'anta wawas (which means boys made of bread). These are especially made when a family member has passed away. Then, if this person was a girl or boy, a woman or man, old or young, the family must wear a mask of the t'anta wawas to symbolize the dead person. 

 

In this special ritual, the “chicha morada” can not be forgotten. It is a typical drink on 'All Saints' Day', which has been made with purple corn. Native people say that to prepare it, you only have to boil this kind of corn with some pieces of pineapple, cinnamon branch and some orange peel for a half and hour with a little sugar.

The following day, relatives must say goodbye to all the spirits, so that these spirits can go back to their worlds. It is believed that at exactly twelve o'clock the worlds' doors are closed until the next year.

In the Aymara culture, it is a well-known fact that if someone dies on this day, she or he will be able to choose in which world her or his ajayu (which means soul) will live.