Can a plant mean so much to a people? that it is still appreciated and consumed by different Andean and some Amazonian communities. What makes this coca plant so important?
The Coca Tree
According to Weddell in 1853, the word “coca” comes from the Aymara word “khoka“, meaning “the tree,” designating “the tree par excellence.”
Although the origins of its use date back thousands of years, the transcultural shock of the Spanish and Incas forms the basis of discussions about the divine leaf of the Incas.
Pedro Cieza de León was one of the first chroniclers to identify the Indians who chewed coca. He asked them about their preference for it, and they answered that it helped avoid hunger, providing strength and vigor.
Likewise, according to Father Acosta refers that at the time the Incas considered it with the highest rank “Mama Coca”, denoting a ceremonial use and it was not allowed for anyone to use it. (Mortimer and Cáceres Santa María, 2019)
In this way, the Spanish observed how the Indians paid for coca and went days without eating, understanding that its trade was crucial for their work, especially in the mines, with Potosí being a famous example.
Garcilazo tells that they took thousands of baskets of coca to supply the Indians who worked as slaves in Bolivia (Mortimer and Cáceres Santa María, 2019).
At present, the latest approaches on coca have unveiled points that the Spanish because of their prejudices could not see.
Importance
From a nutritional and physiological point of view, this plant has a metabolic function, of glucose homeostasis, and helps in the adaptability to altitude (Bolton, 1976).
On a cultural identity level, it has a role with the people of the mountains and on a psychological as a pain and grief reliever,
On a social level coca is of great importance. The Hallpay (the sharing of coca) is the consensual ceremony where the manners and reciprocity of the people are shown, and the pleasant communication.
This moment is not rushed, it is meditative and preparatory for the task ahead (Allen, 1981).
Kintus
Before or during the ceremonies the Apaza family encourages students to participate in the Hallpay by giving a Kintu (three chosen leaves) with the words: Hallpaykusun (let’s chew together), where the student must respond: Urpillay sonqollay (thank you very much).
This act takes place between prayers to spiritual beings, known as Pukuy (Allen, 1981), where the encouragement and invocation of various geographical deities occur, renewing the relationship between humans and the non-human, the Ayllu (human family), and ancestors.
Coca is undoubtedly the plant of the Andes; its wisdom helped build the Inca civilization, serving as a mediator between humans and divinities. It does not lead to dependence or addiction; instead, it provides strength and spiritual enlightenment (Mabit, 2018).
Its western appropriation and transformation into cocaine have brought problems to modern society and contributed to its spiritual decline. However, the functions of coca go beyond this; its symbols and role continue to expand within societies.
Author
Joan De la colina Roman
References:
- Mortimer, W. G., & Cáceres Santa María, B. (2019). La historia de la coca (Primera edición). Biblioteca Abraham Valdelomar.
- Bolton, R. (1976). Andean Coca Chewing: A Metabolic Perspective. American Anthropologist, 78(3), 630-634. https://doi.org/10.1525/aa.1976.78.3.02a00110
- Allen, C. J. (1981). to be Quechua: The symbolism of coca chewing in highland Peru. American Ethnologist, 8(1), 157-171. https://doi.org/10.1525/ae.1981.8.1.02a00100
- Mabit, J. (2018). Coca et ayahuasca, une même destinée? Cultura y Droga, 23(25). https://doi.org/10.17151/culdr.2018.23.25.2
