|
PERU TRAVEL PLANNER
| |
The origin of Shamanism
The history of healing wizards in Peru matches that of the
ritual use of hallucinogens and appears to have emerged alongside the first
major temple-building culture - Chavín (1200 BC-200 AD). Agriculture, ceramics
and other technical processes including some metallurgy had already been
developed by 1200 BC, but Chavín demonstrates the first unified and widespread
cultural movement in terms of sacred architectural style, and the forms and
symbolic imagery used in pottery throughout much of Andean and coastal Peru
during this era. Chavín was a religious cult which seems to have spread from the
central mountains, quite possibly from the large temple complex at Chavín de
Huantar near Huaraz. Taking hold along the coast, the image of the central
Chavín deity was woven, moulded, and carved onto the finest funerary cloths,
ceramics and stones. Generally represented as a complex and demonic-looking
feline deity, the Chavín god always has fangs and a stern face. Many of the
idols also show serpents radiating from the deity's head.
As far as the central temple at Chavín de Huantar is concerned, it was almost
certainly a centre of sacred pilgrimage built up over a period of centuries into
a large ceremonial complex used at appropriate calendrical intervals to focus
the spiritual, political, and economic energies of a vast area (at least large
enough to include a range of produce for local consumption from tropical forest,
high Andean and desert coast regions). The magnificent stone temple kept growing
in size until, by around 300 BC, it would have been one of the largest religious
centres anywhere in the world, with some three thousand local attendants. Among
the fascinating finds at Chavín there have been bone snuff-tubes, beads,
pendants, needles, ceremonial spondylus shells (imported from Ecuador) and some
quartz crystals associated with ritual sites. One quartz crystal, covered in red
pigment, was found in a grave, placed after death in the mouth of the deceased.
Contemporary anthropological evidence shows us that quartz crystals still play
an important role in shamanic ceremonies in Peru, the Americas, Australia and
Asia. The well-documented Desana Indians of Colombia still see crystals as a
"means of communication between the visible and invisible worlds, a
crystallization of solar energy, or the Sun Father's semen which can be used in
esoteric undertakings".
In one stone relief on the main temple at Chavín the feline deity is depicted
holding a large San Pedro cactus in his hand. A Chavín ceramic bottle has been
discovered with a San Pedro cactus "growing" on it; and, on another pot, a
feline sits surrounded by several San Pedros. Similar motifs and designs appear
on the later Paracas and Mochica craft work, but there is no real evidence for
the ritual use of hallucinogens prior to Chavín. One impressive ceramic from the
Mochica culture (500 AD) depicts an owl-woman - still symbolic of the female
shaman in contemporary Peru - with a slice of San Pedro cactus in her hand.
Another ceramic from the later Chimu culture (around 1100 AD) shows a woman
healer holding a San Pedro.
As well as coca, their "divine plant", the Incas had their own special
hallucinogen: vilca (meaning "sacred" in Quechua). The vilca tree (probably
Anadenanthera colubrina) grows in the cloud-forest zones on the eastern slopes
of the Peruvian Andes. The Incas used a snuff made from the seeds which was
generally blown up the nostrils of the participant by a helper. Evidently the
Inca priests used vilca to bring on visions and make contact with the gods and
spirit world.
| |
Mon-Fri 9 Am - 6 Pm ET
please allow pop-ups
Published articles and reviews about us
2010
Testimonials
Norman Pedersen
Date:
Sun,18 Jul 2010
Machu Picchu and my entire visit to Peru were
wonderful. A dream come true.
I could not have been happier with everyone I met through your
arrangements.
The tours were very informative and showed me more than I knew
existed in this beautiful place.
All of the accommodations were very comfortable.
The luncheon buffet at the Alhambra was top rate. And the Ferré
Hotel in Lima was also a very good choice.Your personal assistance
throughout was exceptional!
Thank you for everything!
Melinda Hughes
Date:
Tues, 13 Jul 2010
I was one of
the “Joel Williams” party of four who was recently on a Peru Gateway
Travel tour of northern and southern Peru. I had to write so you
would know how satisfied we were with the hotel accommodations, the
tour guides, the restaurants they choose for our lunches and just
everything about the trip.
The hotels we stayed in were well located, clean and convenient in
every way. We have absolutely no complaints!
Our tour covered Peru from the north to the south. It had four
internal flights, so there were many connections, pick ups and
deliveries involved. Peru Gateway Travel made sure we were always
delivered on time to the airports and promptly met and picked up
when we landed. We never had a moments worry.
Since we had many different day tours, we had several different
guides. All were professional and spoke our language well. All were
very knowledgeable and eager to impart that knowledge to us. They
chose great places for our lunches and the cuisine was
unforgettable. We have traveled to many countries but found the food
in Peru to be absolutely wonderful.
I also wanted to mention the drivers who picked us up at all times
of the day and night, drove us to our next destination and the
delivered us safely to our hotels. We never had a driver who was
less than prompt, courteous and most importantly, a skilled and
careful driver.
The sites we saw were the places we chose to see. And they did not
disappoint us. From the desert to the Andes to the Jungle, we
enjoyed it all.
Please feel free to use this email on your website or as a
testimonial. All four of our group would recommend Peru Gateway
Travel to anyone planning a trip to Peru. We were well taken care
of, enjoyed delicious food, saw awesome sights and had a wonderful
time.
Sincerely.
Ajay Chopra
Date:
Fri, 02 Jul 2010
We are back in
Lima. Our trip to Machu Picchu was wonderful, thank you and your
team and the ground staff in Cuzco for all their help and care. A
special thanks to Angella for her help.
We hope to do business with you in the near future.
Best Regards
Saikat.
Date:
Fri, 02 Jul 2010
I just wanted to let you know that we had an amazing
and wonderful trip to your country.
I must state that the people of Peru impressed me very much - they
are so nice!
While I have already filled-up the feedback form, this is just a
personal note to say Thank you.
Do visit India sometime - we have a lot in common.
Regards,
Irina Pascu
Date:
Fri, 25 Jun 2010
I am now back
home but still not believed that the holiday is over. I just
write you to tell you that I had a wonderful time in Peru and to
thanks for
your support. The circuit was very well designed and I had the
opportunity
to visit all the important sites I envisaged and also the Sacred
Valley and
the Altiplano.
I was really impressed by the organization and your people, always
in time
for pick up and interested to offer the necessary information.
Finally I showed to my friends that Peru is not so far and a visit
there
could be a wonderful experience. For me was a dream come true.
Many thanks to you and to your team.
Melissa Polier
Date:
Tues, 22 Jun 2010
My 2 adult children and I recently returned from our
hike to Machu Picchu and I wanted to thank you for all your
assistance. Our trip was great. We very much enjoyed visiting your
beautiful country. I especially want to praise our guide, cook and
porters. They did a terrific job. The food was marvelous and after a
long hike it was definitely something to look forward to. The
porters were very kind and when I needed some assistance at the end
of the 3rd day one of the porters helped me a lot. Our guide was
great. He was very knowledgeable and fun to hike with and he seemed
to really love his job. Again, thanks so much for everything
Read More testimonials »
|
|
Peru Viajes
