Learning Q’ero Despacho Ceremony
It was a morning with a magnificent sunrise when I woke up at 3am to tune into the Q'ero Despacho Ceremony. As I settled in front of my computer with the brilliant colours of the emerging sunrise, I felt such a sense of deep gratitude and appreciation to the cultural groups and lineages that continue these blessing practices. The workshop was led Q'ero elder and Pampamesayoq Don Agustin of the Q’ero Nation People, which are a group of indigenous people from the Andean mountains of Peru, and their tradition of the Despacho ceremony is a deeply spiritual and sacred practice that has been passed down for generations.
According to Q'ero cosmology, everything in the universe is interconnected and alive, and the Despacho ceremony is a way of offering gratitude, asking for guidance, and creating balance and harmony in all aspects of life. The ceremony involves creating a small bundle, or Despacho, using a variety of items such as flowers, seeds, and grains, which are then offered to the mountains, the Apus, and the Pachamama, or Mother Earth.
As I listened to the workshop leader explain the steps of the Despacho ceremony, I was in awe of the depth of the Q'ero belief system and their connection to the natural world. The Q'ero are descendants of the ancient Incas, and their traditions and way of life have been deeply influenced by their ancestors. They have a strong connection to the land and the mountains, and their spiritual practices are closely tied to their environment and the cosmos.
As the training came to a close, I held such gratitude for the opportunity to learn more deeply about the Q'ero, their ancient traditions and cosmology. I continue to be inspired by their deep connection to the earth and their commitment to living in harmony with the natural world. I left the workshop feeling energized and renewed, it may have seemed very simple and subtle spiritual technology, but it was deeply transformative and uplifting.
Many blessings to the ancestors & wisdom keepers.
Variations on Despacho Ceremony
In Q'ero traditions, there are several different types of Despachos, or offerings, that are used for different purposes.
One type of Despacho is called a Karpay Despacho, which is used to ask for guidance and support from the Apus, or mountain spirits. This type of despacho typically includes items such as flowers, seeds, and grains, as well as offerings of tobacco, coca leaves, and alcohol.
Another type of Despacho is called a Munay Despacho, which is used to offer gratitude and thanks to the Pachamama, or Mother Earth. This type of despacho typically includes items such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, as well as offerings of water and candles.
There is also a type of Despacho called a Pago Despacho, which is used to create balance and harmony in a particular situation or environment. This type of despacho can include a wide variety of items, depending on the specific purpose of the offering.
In general, Despachos are an important part of Q'ero spiritual practices, and they are used to create connections and relationships with the natural world and the spirits that inhabit it. They are a way of expressing gratitude, asking for guidance, and creating balance and harmony in all aspects of life.