In the region near Puno Peru, inheritance
is passed from mothers to daughters.
Husbands join their wives' communities.
Women clear the land, conduct business, manage money, own the household
belongings and are the more important parents. Like Pacha Mama, women
are the providers.
Bolivian Quechuas agree that Pacha
Mama provides the basic necessities. They also believe that the Virgin
provides material goods.
The Festival of Urkupiña was first celebrated
in 1670. Today, ten percent of the population of Bolivia (500,000 people)
attend the Festival of Urkupiña to ask the Virgin to make their
dreams come true. They carry miniatures (alasitas) that represent
what they wish for: tiny trucks, television sets, Tudor Houses, telephones,
college degrees, cars, clothes, sewing machines, visas and businesses—and
more.
For two days, they dance to petition and thank the Virgin, then
attend a Catholic mass. Finally, they visit the shaman women on the
nearby mountain who conduct traditional ceremonies and ask Virgincita/Mamacita
to answer the pilgrims' prayers.