K'uyka

K'uyka (also spelled Kuyka) is a term used in the Quechua language, primarily in parts of Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador, referring to a small, dark, and often rounded stone or pebble found in fields and agricultural lands. These stones are often collected by farmers.

The perceived value of K'uyka varies regionally and culturally. In some communities, K'uykas are considered to be objects of good luck, fertility symbols, or possessors of mystical properties. They may be placed in fields or gardens to promote a good harvest, or kept in homes for protection and prosperity.

The size, shape, and color of the stone deemed a K'uyka can also vary based on local tradition. The term is often associated with pre-Columbian beliefs and practices related to agriculture and the natural world. While not universally practiced, the belief in the power and significance of K'uyka persists in some rural Andean communities. The importance assigned to a particular K'uyka is often passed down through families and can be connected to specific local deities or ancestral spirits.