The point of land where the shaman ceremony was set up. The Andes mountains are in the distance behind the clouds..

The shaman getting ready to start preparing the Pachamama ceremony.

First the heavy paper is laid down on some ponchos and a circle of colored wool is set down in the center to represent Pachamama.

Then begins the gathering of the various ritual elements.

Coca leaves come first, as being the most sacred ritual element.

More and more elements are added until the circle is covered.

Sugar amulets make the pile even higher.

Glitter is added to please the Earth Mother.

Finally the llama embryo is brought out and decorated.

A special prayer is said before it is added to the pile.

Next the white paper is used to wrap the offering into a bundle.

The bundle is passed over the head of each personÉ

É and each person blows on three coca leaves, makes a wish, and adds them to the bundle.

As a finish, the shaman burns the offering and will bury it after we leave.

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Serge King