Challar

Offering to Mother Earth-Pagina Siete

The Tuesday before Ash Wednesday is known as "Martes de Challa" which is the day dedicated to honor Mother Earth.  Offerings, petitions and thanksgiving are given to Mother Earth because "she is the one who provides and blesses everything we have in this life and she makes everything better" said one faithful follower.








The traditional offering consists of candies, flowers, fruits, spices, cereals, nuts, a llama fetus, streamers...sprinkled with rubbing alcohol and then set on fire.  As the offering burns, one dances and sings around the offering.  The president offered a challa in front of a newly purchased property where a new government palace will be built.  They thanked Mother Earth for this property and asked that she bless the new construction.

Challar van

 A more modern version of this offering is to decorate your house or business with balloons and streamers.  Rubbing alcohol is sprinkled in all the corners of the home.  Then prayers and petitions are given to Mother Earth.

Many people who work in the transportation business will decorate their taxis or bus in dedication to Mother Earth.  They are hopeful that this will guarantee them success in the coming year.

challar house

Candies to challar home

 Another way to worship Mother Earth on this day is the throw hard candies on the tin roof of your home.  The loud noise this makes is said to frighten away any evil spirits.  The modern version of this is to set off fireworks.  In their efforts to keep these evil spirits away we heard fireworks going off from before dawn until the late hours of the night.