Canopa or Stone Alpaca

There is an ancient Andean myth stating Alpacas, the furry Llama like animals, entered the world after a goddess fell in love with a human. The goddesses’ father consented to her inhabiting earth, but only if she brought her Alpacas along and only if mankind afforded them special care. The goddesses’ name was Pachamama, and she became known as “Mother Earth.”

Detail of Canopa Qucha where offerings were made during Haywarisqa ceremonies, often filled with Alpaca fat and blood mixed with coca leaves.

Featured is a small collection of little stone Alpacas called

Canopa. Hundreds of years ago, they were created in honor of Pachamama by the Inca people in Peru. The hole in their backs was filled with offerings made of coca leaves and other substances to appease this goddess and insure a rich harvest. They were then abandoned in the fields and over time became buried in the earth, swallowed up by Pachamama herself.

The Canopa represented many things to the ancient Peruvians – part of their cosmology, a tool used in a time honored ritual, and almost certainly, a magical object. To us, in the 21st century, they may represent all this, yet they may mean something more. Could it be they convey a message from Pachamama? After all, it was with her consent the earth gave them back. And if they do, what does she want to say?

(Call to inquire)