Pacha Kamaq

File:Pachacamac ídolo.jpg

Cult image found on site (Pachacamac Museum)

Pacha Kamaq (Quechua, "Creator of the World"; also Pacha Camac) was the deity worshipped in the city of Pachacamac by the Ichma.

Pacha Camac was believed to have created the first man and woman, but forgot to give them food and the man died. The woman cursed Pacha Camac, accusing it of neglect, and Pacha Camac made her fertile. Later it killed her son and cut the corpse into pieces, each of which became a separate fruit or vegetable plant. The woman's second son, Wichama, escaped, so Pachacamac killed the woman. Wichama sought revenge and drove Pacha Camac into the ocean.

Tahuantinsuyu adopted Pacha Camac when they incorporated the Ichma into their empire. In late Inca mythology he was a son of Inti and Mama Quilla, and husband of Mama Pacha. The Huari, the Pachacamac empire, Chancay, Chimor and Ichma all at some point possessed the city of Pachacamac but except for the Ichma we do not know if they worshipped the Pacha Camac deity.

Alternate names: Pachacamac Pacha-Camak, Pacharurac, Pachirisu.

See also

• Inca mythology
• Pachacamac

References

• Lanning, Edward P., Peru before the Incas