Ekeko
Ekeko | |
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God of abundance | |
Quechua: ekjakjo | |
Region | Andean high plateau |
Ethnic group | Aymara |
Festivals | Alasitas |
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The Ekeko (contemporary
Etymology
The name Ekeko comes from the alteration of the original term Ekhako or Eqaqo, popularized as Ekhekho which was the ancient god of fortune and prosperity in the Qullasuyu. The Ekhako was often invoked when a disgrace disturbed their homes.[3]
Origins
Pre-Columbian references
The scholar
The historian
Characteristics
Description
The Ekeko is depicted as a man with a mustache wearing traditional Andean clothes (especially the poncho) and completely loaded with bags and baskets with grain and food, (compare with the cornucopia of some Greco-Roman deities), household objects, and currency bills, and basically anything that a person is thought to want or need to have a comfortable and prosperous life; he is commonly found as a little statue to be put in some place of the house, preferably a comfortable one, but also as an amulet attached to key rings; modern statues of the god include a circular opening in his mouth in which to place a cigarette for Ekeko's pleasure. Latest tradition has the Ekeko "smoke" a lit cigarette once a year to ensure a full year of prosperity.
Ekeko should be placed in a place of honor at home. Some versions can be carried in necklaces or key chains.[4]
Purpose
Ekeko brings monetary wealth to its worshippers. An offering is generally required before he provides his services. Banknotes are often clipped to the Ekeko as offerings, but some statuettes allow for a cigarette to be lit as an offering. The figurines which allow for cigarette offerings have mouth openings large enough for cigarettes to be inserted. Ekeko additionally provides good harvests when offered grain.[5]
Legend of Ekeko
The legend of the Ekeko, as narrated by
At this time, the city of La Paz was under siege by indigenous people, who were still at war with Spanish forces.The story of the origin of the Ekeko starts with Paulita Tintaya, an Indian girl who worked for Doña Josefa Ursula de Rojas Foronda, in La Paz.
The girl was in love with Isidoro Choquehuanca. Years before, she had left the hacienda where they both had grown up. Before her departure, Isidoro gave her a small statue to protect her. This small statue was the Ekeko, which was known to the Andean people to be a god of fortune and luck.
At the time of the siege, people were starving to death. Isidoro was enrolled in the indigenous army, and he manage to reach Paulita's house. Every week, he left her food near the statue, which was placed outside the house, but nobody knew he was doing it. Both Paulita and her boss, Doña Josefa, were able to survive the siege because of the food left near the statue by Isidoro. That is the origin of the beliefs of Ekeko's powers in providing abundance.[7]
Central role in the Alasitas festival
In March 2011
Throughout other regions the festival for the Ekeko is held in October and known by the name Calvario.[9]
Notes
- ^ Collyns, Dan (6 September 2009). "Andean row over 'good luck' doll". BBC News. Retrieved 1 May 2010.
- ^ Paulette Dear (30 January 2014). "Alasitas: Bolivia's festival of miniatures". BBC. Retrieved 30 January 2014.
- ^ a b c d Cáceres Terceros, Fernando (August 2002). "Adaptación y cambio cultural en la feria de Alasitas" [Adaptation and cultural change in the Alasitas fair] (in Spanish). Buenos Aires, Argentina: Ciudad Virtual de Antropologia y Arqueologia, Equipo NAyA. Archived from the original on 2009-10-12.
- ^ Page 184
- ^ Pages 183-184
- Díaz Villamil, Antonio (2000). "Leyendas de mi tierra"[Legends of my homeland] (in Spanish). La Paz, Bolivia: Ediciones Puerta del Sol.
- ^ Estefania, Rafael. "Bolivia's popular fairs". BBC News. BBC Mundo. Retrieved 27 January 2010.
- ^ "Bolivia postula tres expresiones culturales como patrimonio inmaterial ante la Unesco". Los Tiempos. 2011-03-17. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2011-04-07.
- ^ Rojo, Hugo Boero (1977). Bolivia mágica. Editorial Los Amigos del Libro.
External links
- Media related to Ekeko at Wikimedia Commons