The symbol of the campaign is the wayruro seed, a seed which grows into a tall tree in the Amazon rainforest and other tropical areas of South America.
The seed is sacred amongst the peoples of the Andes and the Amazon, among the peoples who inhabited the area before the Spanish conquest. The seed has magical and medicinal qualities.
In our culture, the color red symbolizes life, strength and medicine. When wayruro is entirely red, it indicates feminine energy. When it is red and black, it indicates universal duality, that there are two sides to every story, that nothing can be simply good or bad. When red and black, the red symbolizes masculinity and life, and the black femininity and eternity.
In our worldview, black belongs to Pachacamac, who gives life to everything that exists. According to the wisdom we inherited from our forefathers, these colors are sacred.
At big ceremonies, funerals, healings, when it is time to dance or to hunt, the beautiful wayruro-necklaces are worn by men and women alike. On the other hand, the lone wayruros keep us company in times of fear, loneliness, pain, as well as in times of love. In the Andean ceremonies certain elements are united, thus making possible the sacrifices and gifts offered to spirits such as Apu, Pachamama, Killa Mama, Inki Tayta, Qochamama and Mallki. Important ceremonies or rites should never lack wayruros.
Wayruro is also a medicine, although in our culture medicine is understood somewhat differently: it is not only something which heals, but also something which protects from illness
Written by Juan Santos Rodriguez Huacanjulca, a Peruvian quechua, who is called chakaruna, a bridge-builder, among his people.
Wayruro is still used in sacred rituals all over the Andes, and for instance children wear it on their wrists as a protective amulet. By buying wayruro-seeds you can support the traditions of Peruvian Q’eros and other indigenous peoples that are being threatened by the problems posed by the production of cocaine.
This campaign does not sell or supply Wayruro seeds.