Of course, the relationship has been battered. When the Spanish conquistadors arrived, they planted a cross on top of every huaca (sacred rock). They told the Andean people that the earth was a dead thing to be conquered, a resource to be exploited for gold. They called the worship of Pachamama "pagan superstition."
Western environmentalism often frames the relationship between humans and nature as one of stewardship —we must take care of the planet. While noble, this implies a hierarchy. Pachamama offers something different: Ayni , or sacred reciprocity. pachamama madre tierra
The term Madre Tierra has become increasingly popular in recent years, as people from diverse backgrounds have come to recognize the importance of honoring the Earth and its natural resources. This concept transcends cultural boundaries, speaking to a universal understanding of the Earth's value and the need for humans to adopt a more reciprocal and respectful relationship with the natural world. Of course, the relationship has been battered