Mama Cocha – The Inca Goddess of All Waters – Inca Mythology

Mamakocha is the Inca water goddess and her name means mother of the sea. She was often connected to fertility and purification due to her authority over the waters. She is regarded as a source of life and sustenance and her waters are believed to have the ability to purify and replenish. The goddess was the sister and consort of the creator god whose offspring were the moon goddess Mamakia and the sun god Inti. The goddess lorded over all bodies of water ranging from lakes and seas to the rains. She was especially affiliated with Lake Titicaca in Peru where many people still call it Mamakocha. It was believed that this lake was the embodiment of the goddess or her sacred dwelling place. The Incas had a profound respect for nature and its elements and Mamakocha was a vital part of this worldview. Her influence was not just limited to the physical aspects of the sea and water but also included beliefs about the climate, rainfall, and rivers all of which were essential for Andean agriculture. Rituals and offerings to Mamakocha were widespread especially in coastal and riverside communities as a means of securing her protection and goodwill. These customs are reflective of the goddess' importance in the Inca's daily lives as well as the symbiotic relationship they had with the natural world around them.