The Celebration of “Pawcar Raimy” in Ecuador: Knowing the Cycle of the Sun in the Andes Mountains
In the mountains of the equatorial Andes, there are not only impressive landscapes, but also a rich cultural heritage and traditions rooted in the local populations related to nature and the cosmos. Among these traditions is the celebration of Pawcar Raimy, an ancestral practice that involves the meticulous observation of the sun’s cycle and its relationship with the seasons; for agricultural and social use, the Andes mountains and the Inti (sun) are used as a natural calendar.
Observation of the Sun Cycle
The indigenous people of the Andes have developed precise methods over millennia to observe and understand the movement of the sun throughout the year. Using natural markers such as mountains, valleys and peaks, as well as human constructions such as “huacas” and pyramids, they have created a highly accurate solar calendar to measure time.
During the solstices (when the sun is furthest from the equator to the north or south) and equinoxes (when the sun is aligned with the equator), crucial times in the solar cycle, indigenous communities gather in specific places, where the light of the sun interacts in a particular way with the surrounding geography showing the tiem of the year that you are on. There, through rituals, ceremonies, and careful observations, they honor and celebrate the harmony between the sun, the earth, and life itself.
The Agricultural Traditions of Pawcar Raimy
The Pawcar Raimy is not only an exercise of astronomical observation, but also a practical guide for daily life, especially as it relates to agriculture. Observations of the solar cycle allow indigenous communities to determine the optimal times to plant, harvest and carry out other vital agricultural activities. In the case of Pawcar Raimy in the Equatorial Andes, it is when the chakras (plots) are in bloom and some plants produce tender grains, we are in “choclos’ ‘ (fresh corn) season.
By understanding seasonal changes and variations, they can optimize their harvests and ensure food security for their communities. This deep connection between ancestral knowledge and sustainable agricultural practice is fundamental to the survival and well-being of indigenous populations in the Ecuadorian Andes.
The Traditions around “Pawcar Raimy”
Much of the knowledge related to the Pawcar Raimy is transmitted from generation to generation through oral traditions that have survived the time but have also incorporated new knowledge during their existence. The elders of the community are the guardians of this ancestral wisdom, and their role is fundamental in the preservation and transmission of this knowledge.
Through stories, myths and festivities, knowledge about observations of the sun’s cycle is transmitted, as well as ethical and spiritual lessons associated with respect for nature and cosmic harmony. These oral traditions not only preserve the history and culture of indigenous peoples, but also offer us valuable lessons about the importance of living in harmony with the natural world, for this reason each Raimy (equinox or solstice) has a different connotation, oriented to the preservation of balance, in the case of “Pawcar Raimy” the celebration is shared with our family and community to celebrate the beginning of the year, this date is to share the tender fruits, this moment is intended to be collective and community while other moments are for the individual and others for the gods, all in balance, a concept transferred to our societies from geography because we are in the middle of the world, the center, the equilibrium, the balance.
The Pawcar Raimy in Ecuador is much more than a simple astronomical observation. It is a living tradition of deep connection between humans, the earth and the cosmos, as well as a reminder of the wisdom and resilience of the indigenous peoples of the Andes. It is an invitation to reflect on our relationship with nature and to learn from the teachings of those who have lived in harmony with it for millennia to face the new year that begins with the equinox.
!! Happy new year!! !!Happy Pawcar raimy!!!
