Despacho describes the Andean practice of making offerings to the mountains (apus), Mother Earth (Pachamama), and other spirits of nature in reciprocity, reverence, and thanksgiving.

 

A despacho is an act of love and a reminder of the connections we share with all beings, elements, spirits, and sacred places. At the deepest level, it is an opportunity to enter into the essential unity of all things, the living energy of the universe. 

 

A despacho is created during a ceremony. 

The ceremony brings participants into alignment with thei personal intent, the group intent, and gratitude to the earth, which supports us in all our endeavors. Finally, the despacho harmonizes the community through the sharing of coco leaves and gifts of stones, all of which strengthen the luminous fibers that connect us all.

 

 

There are at least 300 variations of despachos in the Quechua-speaking Andes (primarily Peru and Ecuador). While there are certain elements common to all despachos, the particular healing intention-such as bringing harmony and balance to the earth, honoring new beginnings, or getting rid of an illness-determines the design of the offering, some of the contents, and even the way that offerings are added.

 

A traditional despacho is created by medicine people who work in alignment through their spiritual power. As the ceremony begins, red wine and white liquor (pisco) are offered to the spirits of the mountains and to Mother Earth. The medicine persons and all the participants feed each other coca leaves the sacred plant of the Andeas. The ceremony continues with offerings of symbolic foods and objects – all must be sweet – all in order to create sweet life on earth. 

 

After the Despatcho has been prepared by the Shaman and the participants and has been prayed for, it is offered to Mother Earth through burning it in the fire. During the burning participants must be with their backs to the fire – thus letting mother earth have their privacy.

 

Inirabi was taught to do despachos by her Qero Shaman Vilma and performs this ceremony both for groups and for individuals.