Even after almost 5 centuries of “colonization”, there are certain traditions still engrained in the Andean way of life. Pre-conquest religious fervor has survived until today in ancient rites that link Man to Nature, where the earth is of tremendous symbolic importance. The Pachamama or Earth goddess (“Pacha” = earth, “mama” = mother), dwells in the Urkhupacha, the Underworld, and provides her fruits to feed men. Thus, within the reciprocal nature of the Andean culture, villagers make offerings to show their gratitude - these offerings can include coca leaves, unwrought silver, chicha, wine and jungle seeds called huayruros, believed to have magical powers. The coca leaf is a sacred plant which serves to mediate between the inner world (the Pachamama) and the outer world (that of Man).