R

97 entries · 7 editorial notes

ractania

(n) A type of geranium whose roots were charred and, while still very hot, packed around the teeth and left there to cool. It was very painful, but a treatment of last resort for people with gum disease. It burned away the diseased flesh which allowed new, healthy gum to grow. ACAACA · Ancient Civilizations of the Andes, Means

raio

(n) Rays of jungle lightning that come from the fire of the cosmos (sp). MBEMBE · home.earthlink.net/~megbeeler Raio is often female lightning, but may be used for both male and female. Female lightning is vertical and strikes very quickly, almost without noise, straight down into the earth. It has the power to kill or carry away women, but not men. She is also a thief, striking into the earth where someone has hidden coins and takes the treasure up to the sky. ACESACES · At the Crossroads of Earth and Sky: An Andean Cosmology, Urton (See, illapa, relámpago.)

raise the soul

This procedure is performed by the two alzadores of the curandero session in two different procedures depending on which part of the ceremony is being performed. The first time consists of snuffing the alcohol and perfume mixture, lifting the shell containing the brew with both hands in three phases to demarcate the sections of the patient’s body: (1) feet to waist (followed by snuffing), (2) waist to to neck (followed by snuffing, and (3) neck to crown of the head (followed by snuffing). This purifies and protects the patient. The second time the alzadores move their shells all over the patient’s body, ingesting the entire contents of their shells whenever they discover a painful spot. At the same time they press their heads against the troubled area. Then the shells are refilled and the search for sore areas continues. WOFWWOFW · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

raise the staff

In a divination session, it is the inhalation of a perfume or a liquid mixture of boiled San Pedro cactus and tobacco while holding a staff from the curandero’s mesa over his head. The operation of “raising,” which is performed by the curandero, his assistants [alzadores], and the patient(s) several times as a libation, offering, or tribute to the cosmos intended to clear the mind. If those involved have a difficult time raising the staff after the divination, it is a certain sign that witchcraft is involved. WOFWWOFW · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

ramra

(n) Betula nigra. The bark soaked in urine gives colour to sole leather, it can also dye cottons and woolens a cinnamon hue. The bark serves also as a tannin. Pounded up and mixed with lard, the leaves are applied as a poultice to cleanse and heal ulcers. Without lard, they are valued in treating inflammations. When applied to fresh wounds, they staunch the flow of blood. REPCREPC · Ruiz as an Ethnopharmacologist in Peru and Chile, Schultes [taxonomy accuracy questionable]

randa

(n) Cleansing with a chicken to free a victim of the evil spirits which have possessed him. The chicken, once cut open and stuffed with purple and white corn, is fed to the huacas, together with three bottles of chicha, salted fish, and hot peppers, in order to quench their thirst and placate their hunger, thereby saving the victim. GOLGOL · The Gift of Life: Female Spirituality and Healing in Northern Peru, Glass-Coffin.

ranti

(n) Complimentary quality; soul mate. The unity of two harmonized masintin energies. KOAKKOAK · Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge, Wilcox The most powerful relationships are either hapu or ranti. Ranti relationships are relationships of equivalence with a common theme. They have masintin qualities (opposite) that bring power to aspects of life. JLHJLH · Jose Luis Herrera, various lectures Equal, double, shadow, twin. ANON1ANON1 · anonymous donor 1 (see footnote on the original Text Sources page for explanation) (adj) Equivalent. RS QNO

rantintin

(n) An idiosyncratic term referring to a transfer of energy or medicine. ANON1ANON1 · anonymous donor 1 (see footnote on the original Text Sources page for explanation)

rantiymi

(n) My complementary one. JLHJLH · Jose Luis Herrera, various lectures

raqra kunka

(adj) Hoarse. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

rastreador

(n) From rastrear, to track, trace, trail. SEESSEES · Crowell's Spanish-English & English-Spanish Dictionary A tracker; one who helps the curandero see during a healing session. WOFWWOFW · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

rastreo

(n) From rastrear, to track, trace, trail . SEESSEES · Crowell's Spanish-English & English-Spanish Dictionary Divination/diagnosis. One of the curing acts in the curandero session. WOFWWOFW · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page. Divination. GOLGOL · The Gift of Life: Female Spirituality and Healing in Northern Peru, Glass-Coffin.

raurak sonqo

(adj) Irate, angry, fervently mad. Etymologically identical to sonqo raurahuan. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

rawway onqoy

(n) Fever. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

raya-balsa

(n) By taking the juice of the shoots of raya-balsa (Montrichardla arborescens Schott) and dieting, one would be able to travel under the water. MSINMSIN · conference paper The Concept of Plants as Teachers among four Mestizo Shamans of Iquitos, Northeastern Perú, Luna

rayamama

(n) The mythological mama of the river ray (Potamotrygon hystrix), also known as a pambamuri. AYVAYV · Ayahuasca Visions: The Religious Iconography of a Peruvian Shaman, Luna

raymi

(n) Celebration; festivity; party; fiesta. RSRS · runasimi.de A festival, celebration (originally ceremonial in nature). ANON1ANON1 · anonymous donor 1 (see footnote on the original Text Sources page for explanation)

raymi napa

(n) A llama flock dedicated for sacrifice. HOIHOI · History of the Incas, Sarmiento de Gamboa(See, napa.)

raymi yahuar

(n) A blood celebration. THIMTHIM · The Three Halves of Ino Moxo The [sacrificed] animal’s blood (life) and fat (power) returns to the apu. WOFWWOFW · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

razcataricuni

(n) Double vision. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

recados

(n) Literally, gift, message. Items placed in a despacho. KOAKKOAK · Keepers of the Ancient Knowledge, Wilcox

red magic

(n) In the Amazon, the equivalent of black, or harmful, magic. BOABOA · www.biopark.org

refresco

From Spanish refrescar (to refresh, to cool). SEESSEES · Crowell's Spanish-English & English-Spanish Dictionary The last step in the curandero healing ceremony. The participants and the location are orally sprayed with a mixture of holy water, white cornmeal, white flowers, white sugar, sweet-lime juice, and powdered lime in the faces, on the necks (front and back), and over the hands (front and back). The space where the mesa was laid and the four corners of the room are also drenched. WPHWPH · Eduardo El Curandero: The Words of a Peruvian Healer, Calderón This final oral spraying is often followed by a symbolic meal where small amounts of these refreshments are consumed by all present, serving a double function. Not only does the refresco refresh and sweeten to bring good fortune to all present, it also cuts the effect of the huachuma because it counteracts the hot nature of the hallucinogen with its cool or fresh properties. GOLGOL · The Gift of Life: Female Spirituality and Healing in Northern Peru, Glass-Coffin. Compare, kamay.

relámpago

(n) Male lightning, associated with loud rumblings, does not come to earth. It either flashes from cloud to cloud or partway to earth at a diagonal. ACESACES · At the Crossroads of Earth and Sky: An Andean Cosmology, Urton (See, illapa, raio.)

remocaspi

(n) (Aspidosperma excelsum, Pithecellobium laetum.) This plant’s cathartic medicine facilitates the knowledge of magical esoteric sciences, but will kill those who do not diet strictly before ingesting it. AYVAYV · Ayahuasca Visions: The Religious Iconography of a Peruvian Shaman, Luna (See, palero.)

remolino

(n) (1) A whirlpool. The symbol of the spiral. It’s mystical significance is “as above, so below,” and “from a point of departure is born and delivered the point of origin.” One adopts this concept as a base, since from one point all is born and contained. In other words, man is endowed to take everything from its origin and embrace and absorb all that the universe contains. The spiral represents the creative aspect of the mandala, which gives expression to something new and unique in psychic development [emphasis mine]; the spiral manifestation contrasts with the conservative circular aspect of the mandala, which restores a previously existing order in the psyche. WOFWWOFW · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page. Whirlwind, whirlpool.GOLGOL · The Gift of Life: Female Spirituality and Healing in Northern Peru, Glass-Coffin.  (See, also, medicine wheel and the image of a mandala therein.) (2) The “drunkenness” associated with ingestion of huachuma infusions. GOLGOL · The Gift of Life: Female Spirituality and Healing in Northern Peru, Glass-Coffin. (3) Geomagnetic anchor and transmission points, natural vortices, are understood as places that inherently possess sacred space. Many believe the veil between this world and the spirit world is more easily breached in these places and a blending of the two worlds is more evident. The Qoricancha (see, for more on this) is built upon one of the most powerful of these sacred places acting much like the hub of a wheel . PSPMPSPM · Peruvian Shamanism: The Pachakúti Mesa, Magee

renaco

(n) Ficus trigonata is said to give the vegetalista the ability to travel underwater. MSINMSIN · conference paper The Concept of Plants as Teachers among four Mestizo Shamans of Iquitos, Northeastern Perú, Luna If those who ingest this bush have dieted properly, the mama of this plant will come in dreams and teach the quester how to heal with the plant, which is unmatched in curative powers for fractures and lesions. It can be applied raw or cooked. AYVAYV · Ayahuasca Visions: The Religious Iconography of a Peruvian Shaman, Luna

Renaco

Revash

(n) A funerary complex 60 km from Chachapoyas appearing in cliffs like tiny houses stuck to the rock. Revash’s funeral mansions are located in line, on the narrow hall shaped by the cavity that was excavated in the rocky wall of an imposing canyon. They remain almost intact. But the mummies located in there, with their coverings and their belongings, were pillaged a long time ago, by rodents and also by man’s hand. The mausoleums resemble small houses forming miniature “villages”. WIKIWIKI · en.wikipedia.org (no www)

Mausoleums at Revash.
Mausoleums at Revash.

rhea

(n) The ostrich-like bird of South America. The brown and white plumes are believed to connect the wearer with his ancestors back to ancient times. IGMPIGMP · Andean Awakening: An Inca Guide to Mystical Peru, Delgado

, height 4 to 5 feet.
, height 4 to 5 feet.

ribereño

(n) A person who lives on the river bank in the Amazon forest. AYVAYV · Ayahuasca Visions: The Religious Iconography of a Peruvian Shaman, Luna

ricachicuy

(n) A fund-raising ceremony for an ayllu during which members who made pledges pay them and return their limandas (sp.). AWEAWE · www.anthropology.wisc.edu

ricsina

(n) Experiential knowledge, which the individual must balance with yachana. WCEWCE · [World Culture Encyclopedia] www.everyculture.com/South-America/Canelos-Quichua-Religion-and-Expressive-Culture.html (See, also, yachaj.)

richacayani

(n) Insomnia. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

rikch'akuq

(adj) Similar. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

rikch'aq

(n) Kind, type. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

rikch'ariy

(v) To wake up. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

rikhurichiy

(v) To make appear, to organize. PSLPSL · www.geocities.com/phillott/Bolivia/Dictionary02.htm — Bolivian Quechua

rikhuriy

(v) To appear. PSLPSL · www.geocities.com/phillott/Bolivia/Dictionary02.htm — Bolivian Quechua

rikoj

(n) Seer.RSRS · runasimi.de (See, qhawaq.)

Rikramanta

(n) A snake with arms and female breasts whose icaro is sung to visit distant planets. AYVAYV · Ayahuasca Visions: The Religious Iconography of a Peruvian Shaman, Luna

Rikramanta. From a painting by vegetalista Pablo Amaringo.

rikuchikuy

(n) Gift, present. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

rikuchiy

(v) To show, to exhibit. PSLPSL · www.geocities.com/phillott/Bolivia/Dictionary02.htm — Bolivian Quechua

rikuy

(v) To see. PSLPSL · www.geocities.com/phillott/Bolivia/Dictionary02.htm — Bolivian Quechua QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-MolinaTo notice. RSRS · runasimi.de

rilihiyun

(n) Religion (sp.)

Rimacpampa

(n) A large flat area on the eastern edge of ancient Cusco in which a number of important festivals were held. AEAAAEAA · Astronomy and Empire in the Ancient Andes: The Cultural Origins of Inca Sky Watching, Bauer and Dearborn (Derived from a word for speech, conversation. RSRS · runasimi.de)

rimanakuy

(n) Traditional Andean wedding. RORROR · Rituals of Respect, Bolin

rimarcarini

(v) Talking nonsense. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

rimay

(v) To speak. (n) Language, word. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

rimaykuy

(v) To explain. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

rimayta-muzpani

(v) To hesitate and stammer due to nervousness. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

rinriymichhuñin

(n) Tinnitus, ringing of the ear. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

rinriychuñipa yahuan

(n) Tinnitus; severe roaring of the ear. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

riparay

(v) To realize. PSLPSL · www.geocities.com/phillott/Bolivia/Dictionary02.htm — Bolivian Quechua

riqsi

, ricsi, rigsi: (n) Acquaintance; friendship. RSRS · runasimi.de

riqsichiy

(v) To introduce someone. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

riqsinakuqmasi

(n) Friend. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

riqsiy

, reqsiy, rejsiy, riksiy, ricsina: (v) To know; to recognize; to examine; to have seen. RSRS · runasimi.deTo know (people and places), to recognize. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

rit'i

(n) Snow.

riy

(v) To go. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

Road of Wiracocha

(n) The ceke connecting Tiwanako, Pucara and Cusco, each city equidistant along the line. IGMPIGMP · Andean Awakening: An Inca Guide to Mystical Peru, Delgado

Roal

(n) A guiding principle of power of the Altomesayoc; a fully embodied Altomesayoq; the equivalence of power of the Altomesayoq; directors of the mesa. JLHJLH · Jose Luis Herrera, various lectures

The creator spirit and head of the Apu gods who proposed the foundation of a city where they could all live in harmony. None of the Apus responded, for which Roal punished them, creating the sun and the moon. The Apus could not tolerate the light of the sun, which dried them out, turning them into skin and bones, so they preferred to remain in the darkness. CDCCDC · ceramicus.dunmarsh.com Creator deity of the Q’ero community of the Andes near Cusco. MLNMLN · www.magialuna.net The creator spirit (kamac) who occupies the top of the hierarchy and governs the forces of nature and maintains their equilibrium, assigning supervision of specialized activities to the mountain spirits of lesser rank, the apus and awkis, who originated from him. JNPJNP · Juan Nunez del Prado

roctto

(adj) Deaf. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

rocttocay

(n) Deafness. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

rocttomcani

(v) To become absolutely deaf. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

ronsapa

(n) A bee, used by marupa sorcerers as a mariri. AYVAYV · Ayahuasca Visions: The Religious Iconography of a Peruvian Shaman, Luna

roq'a

(n) Spiny plant (Colletia spinosa) used in folk medicine. RORROR · Rituals of Respect, Bolin

rumi maki

(n) Literally, stone hand. The martial arts of the Inca, historically known only amongst the elite. RMFARMFA · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page.

Rumiñahui

Literally, stone face. PGOPGO · Patt Grantham O'Neill, personal definitions written when a good one could not be found elsewhere.(See, ñawi.) The name of a general of the Inca army and a brother of Atahualpa. When the Spanish imprisoned Inca Atahualpa in 1533, he promised roomfuls of gold and silver to ransom himself. From his territories Rumiñahui demanded basket loads of sacred objects placed on a caravan of llamas to transport the treasure through the mountains to Cajamarca, where the Inca was imprisoned. Before he could be ransomed, however, Atahualpa was executed. In his fury Rumiñahui ordered his horde of treasure hidden somewhere in the Andes. [Compare this story with the one at Quilliscacha.] FAEFAE · www.fuerzasarmadasecuador.org/english/historia/reinoquitoatahualpa.htm Born late 15th century, died June 25, 1535, was a general during the civil war between Atahualpa and Wascar, who after the death of Emperor Atahualpa, led the resistance against the Spanish in the northern part of the Tawantinsuyu (modern-day Ecuador) in 1533. His given name was Ati II Pillahuaso. WIKI

rumi sonqo

(adj) Hard hearted, cold hearted, literally, heart of stone. PSLPSL · www.geocities.com/phillott/Bolivia/Dictionary02.htm — Bolivian Quechua

runa

(n) Person, being. Plural is runakuna. ROR RS Person of indigenous descent. CSCRCSCR · Cut Stones and Crossroads, Wright

Runa Antilis

(n) A purported UFO landing site at Lake Titicaca. (See, spaceships.) IGMPIGMP · Andean Awakening: An Inca Guide to Mystical Peru, Delgado

runachakuy

(n) A church wedding. Also called casarakuy or warmichakuy.

runakuna

(n) (1) Plural of runa. (2) Tradition of the people. JLHJLH · Jose Luis Herrera, various lectures (3) The common people.

runa kurku k'anchay

(n) The luminous body. PSPMPSPM · Peruvian Shamanism: The Pachakúti Mesa, Magee Idiosyncratic term for the human light body or luminous body; differs subtly in meaning from poq’po, or human energy bubble, in that it refers to a light body that is juxtaposed with the physical body, whereas poq’po refers to the living energy fields that are intimately tied into and connected with the human body; a preferable phrasing would be k’anchaypa runa kurkun. ANON1ANON1 · anonymous donor 1 (see footnote on the original Text Sources page for explanation)

runa masi

(n) Fellow man. PSLPSL · www.geocities.com/phillott/Bolivia/Dictionary02.htm — Bolivian Quechua

Runasimi

(n) Literally, language of the people. The native language of the ancient Incas and still the dominant indigenous language of the Andean people.

runa tinya

(n) The Incas made war drums of human hides, which they called runa (man) tinya (drum). The most important enemy leaders, or perhaps those of whom it was most important to make an example, were turned into artifacts. SIHSIH · The Shape of Inca History: Narrative and Architecture in an Andean Empire, Niles See, Quilliscacha.

runauturuncu

(n) It is a zoöanthropomorphic entity, like the werewolf (loup-garou) of Western lore, a human being who transforms or shapeshifts into the jaguar. PGOPGO · Patt Grantham O'Neill, personal definitions written when a good one could not be found elsewhere. There is a South American myth that the ancient dwellers of the forest called runauturuncu. This name is formed with two Quechua words: runa (man) and uturuncu (jaguar). This creature is a sorcerer. Its power is believed to have been obtained through a pact with Supay, from reasons relating to revenge, and/or possession of animal vigor with human intelligence. WTCWTC · www.temakel.com/simbolazoantropo.htm (See, nagual, double and therianthropy.) One of the most prominent figures to appear in the archaeological record has been what archaeologists call the were-jaguar. This figure is known by distinctive snarling mouths, toothless gums or long, curved fangs, and even claws. It is believed in myth that a jaguar was to have copulated with a human female and gave rise to this creature. EWOEWO · en.wikipedia.org therianthropy.html

runtu

(n) Egg. PSLPSL · www.geocities.com/phillott/Bolivia/Dictionary02.htm — Bolivian Quechua

rupay

(n) (1) Inner sun, solar plexus, connects us to everything. (2) Heat; ardor. (3) Inti and the sun. JLH RS

rupha

(n) Fever. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

ruphariy

(v) To run a fever. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

ruphasqa haywa

(n) Burnt offering. RORROR · Rituals of Respect, Bolin (Also called, ofrenda quemada.)

ruqya

(n) Noise. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

ruq'tu

(adj) Deaf. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina

rutuchikuy

(n) The second official ceremony in the life of the individual [the first is ayuscay] taking place when the child was weaned and consisted of cutting the hair. Preceded by religious rites, the haircutting was started by the oldest maternal uncle who was followed by each of the other adult men of the ayllu who, in their own turn, would cut a lock of hair and deliver a personal gift or donation, usually consisting of a piece of clothing or a toy. Sometimes these presents could be of great economic value and, if the child belonged to a very important family, the wealth accumulated at this ceremony could be fabulous. It is said that on such an occasion a son of Huayna Capac, the child Tupac Cusi Huallpa, received such a large quantity of gold objects, that his father ordered the manufacture of a large chain, which was called huasca, from this metal after which the child was nicknamed Huascar [Wascar], a name he used from then on. On the rutuchico the child received a second name, which was usually derived from his father’s or that of a parental ancestor. DYEDYE · Source not listed on the original Text Sources page. Ceremonial first cutting of the hair; the ritual is of pre-Spanish origin. RORROR · Rituals of Respect, Bolin Performed when the child reaches one year of age. HOIHOI · History of the Incas, Sarmiento de Gamboa The hair and nails were cut by the most venerable uncle of the child using sharpened stones. There was dancing and drinking; gifts were given according to the child’s station in life. ACAACA · Ancient Civilizations of the Andes, Means  An initiation ritual marking the transition from crawling to walking. MOCMOC · Mountain of the Condor: Metaphor and Ritual in an Andean Ayllu, BastienSee, also, other important childhood rites: ayuscay, quicuchicuy, huarachicuy.

ruway

(v) To do, to make. QPQP · Quechua Phrasebook, Coronel-Molina