Pachamama

Religion in Peru is a combination of Catholicism and Andean mythology. Although currently between 75 and 81.3% of the population identifies as Catholic, the rituals and ceremonies practiced in Peru have a Spanish and indigenous influence. Many Inca ceremonies are still carried out, such as the Inti Raymi and Qoylloriti. While many Catholic rituals contain expressions of worship to the sun god Inti, Pachamama (Mother Earth), and other elements of nature ,religious scholars still debate whether this practice of the Catholic and Andean religion should be studied as a process of fusion or parallel beliefs.

In many parts of Peru, Catholicism is heavily tinged with pagan and pre-Hispanic beliefs and practices: syncretism is an essential feature of Andean religiosity. Thus, the ceremonies and offerings to Pachamama, Mother Earth, are still very much alive; and many processions in honor of the Saints are often departures from the Andean ceremonies that pre-existed before the arrival of the Spanish and the priests. In the countryside, the Apus, the protective spirit of the mountains, Inti, the god of the sun, Killa, the moon, continue to be worshipped, weaving links between the world below, the world in between (ours) and the world below. above.
Religion in Peru is a combination of Catholicism and Andean mythology. Although currently between 75 and 81.3% of the population identifies as Catholic, the rituals and ceremonies practiced in Peru have a Spanish and indigenous influence. Many Inca ceremonies are still carried out, such as the Inti Raymi and Qoylloriti.
While many Catholic rituals contain expressions of worship to the sun god Inti, Pachamama (Mother Earth), and other elements of nature ,religious scholars still debate whether this practice of the Catholic and Andean religion should be studied as a process of fusion or parallel beliefs.