Pawkar Raymi - the Blossoming Festival in Saraguro Ecuador
Saraguro in the northern end of Loja Province is a stronghold of Andean indigenous culture. This little known travel destination is a chance to experience one of Ecuador’s most authentic Quechua communities. Saraguro’s most colorful events happen during the four festivals that correspond to the annual solstices and equinoxes . The first Quechua festival of the year is Pawkar Raymi during the earliest equinox falling on or near March 20th. Pawkar is Quechua for "blossoming," so combined with the word for festival, "Raymi," this is the blossoming festival. Also known as "sisa pacha," which means "the time of flowering," the celebration honors Pachamama (Mother Earth) as she brings forth the first fruits of new agricultural growth in their farming season. Pawkar Raymi also coincides with the Quechua New Year. The festivities and rituals begin on March 1st with pre-dawn ritual "Baths of the Inca" to clear out all of the preceding year’s ne
