huaca
9.9
A sacred object, place, or spirit that people in Andean cultures honor
- noun
- /ˈwɑːkə/
- Specialized
:
huaca
- The archaeologists discovered a huaca that was once a site for rituals and ceremonies.
Examples
-
In addition, mountain peaks and unusual rock outcrops (huacas) became sites of private devotion, mass pilgrimage, and sacrifice.
Academic text (2007) -
The villagers offer gifts at the huaca to seek blessings for a good harvest.
-
During the festival, people gather around the huaca to honor their ancestors.
Synonyms
9.9
A spirit or natural power in Algonquian culture believed to live in nature
refers to sacred object, place, or spirit tied to Andean cultural belief
9.9
An animal or spirit thought to protect a person
is broader, naming sacred objects, places, or spirits beyond individual guardians
How Sacred
Surface Forms
Etymology
Huaca comes from the Quechua word wak'a, which means 'sacred thing' or 'sacred place'. A helpful way to remember it is to think of a huaca as a sacred object, place, or spirit that people respect and ask for protection from.