The Peru program at the 2015 Smithsonian Folklife Festival takes its name from Pachamama, translating to “Mother Earth” in the native Quechua and Aymara languages. Pachamama is central to the many peoples of Peru; in order to fully understand and celebrate their cultures, we need to understand the life-sustaining role of Pachamama.

In talking with folk artist Angel L. Callañaupa Alvares, this video gives insight about the expansive significance of Pachamama. His deep appreciation for Pachamama is ever present in his work to both honor the mother of all living things and generate public consciousness about respecting the environment. In sharing Angel’s knowledge and intentions, we hope you come away with a greater sense of Pachamama.

Production and editing: Marisol Medina-Cadena
Videography: Marisol Medina-Cadena, Claudia Romano, Jiaban Li, Charlie Weber

Marisol Medina-Cadena is video production intern and currently studies film and digital media at the University of California, Santa Cruz.