Sacred theft
The fox and the origin of food in the southern Andes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.34096/esnoa.n27.17121Abstract
Abstract
In this work, we address popular South Andean narratives that refer to the fox as an ancestor who, in his adventures, steals food from the sacred world, an act known as "sacred pilfering," performing an unintentional sacrificial act of donating food to the world. We also address the importance of "play" in celebrations of the annual ritual calendar, focusing on "theft" in ritual contexts. Secondly, we examine narrative aspects of the contemporary fox, what is said about its "powers," and the ways in which its knowledge helps prevent evils, select what to sow during the year, and indicate favorable times. We draw on sources related to Andean memory, both oral and documentary narratives. We propose a philosophical reflection based on seminal Indigenous notions.
Keywords
Fox - food - sacred pilfering - play - seminality.
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