Science, as an abstract, universal, and necessary form of knowledge, a powerful and transformative force of nature, is a fruit of the Western world, deeply rooted in specific cultural traditions.
The traditional conception of “science” has decisively shaped our understanding of “truth,” to the point of merging the two: “scientificity” in modernity becomes synonymous with truth itself.
This approach, however, can overlook the lived, particular experiences that shape reality. The pursuit of verifiable knowledge and empirical facts has shaped modern thought, yet it is not universally applicable.
In contrast, in the Andean worldview exist a profound and mystical word:
YACHAY
This knowledge is not the product of intellectual endeavor but rather the result of lived experience that transcends the senses, conveyed through oral traditions, storytelling, rituals, sacred acts, and customs.
In the Andean cosmos, there is no division between science and the sacred.
The earth’s wisdom is as real and potent as the stars in the sky, and we feel it in the pulse of the wind, the rhythm of the mountains, and the flow of rivers that carry the teachings of ancient ancestors.
We do not simply learn this knowledge—it is lived, embodied, and revered, a seamless dance between the seen and unseen, the material and spiritual, ever present and ever transforming.
The verb Yachay does not merely signify knowing or understanding; it also encompasses experiencing.
A yachayniyoq is an experienced person, a wise one in the most lived and embodied sense.
The knowledge of the ecological interrelations between humans and nature does not require a scientific demonstration for the runa (the Andean person).
Yayaqkuna of science
Andean science roots itself deeply in the authority of experience, where the voices of the elders (yayaqkuna) carry immense weight.
Tradition
It also rests upon the ancient foundation of tradition, where the wisdom of the past stands as a guiding force.
Frecuency
The frequency of customs, where the habitual practice of rites and rituals reinforces the continuity of knowledge.
Coherence
The coherence of order, where the very fabric of existence is understood as a harmonious and interconnected whole.
Andean Worldview of Science
In the Andean worldview, science is inseparable from religious, ethical, and mythological conceptions; it embraces them as essential and valuable sources of human wisdom.
The Andean way of knowing acknowledges that the mysteries of life, the cycles of nature, and the interconnectedness of all beings are not isolated phenomena to be dissected, but sacred truths to be revered, experienced, and respected.
If you want to delve deeper into “yachay” knowledge, we have the path of the paq’o, where yachay is the second teaching in the marvelous journey of the Andean healer:
References:
- Esternmann, J. (1998) Filosofía Andina. Estudio intercultural de la sabiduría autóctona andina. Seminario San Antonio Abad, Cusco Perú, (pag. 104-107)
