Paccha (mountain)

Paccha, in the Quechua language, refers to a mountain. More specifically, it often denotes a significant, revered, or otherwise culturally important mountain. The term carries spiritual weight, as mountains in Andean cosmology are often considered apus, powerful spirits that protect and influence the communities that reside within their sphere of influence. Thus, a paccha isn't merely a geographical feature, but an entity with profound cultural and religious significance. The term may be used in place names, folklore, and ritual practices. The veneration of pacchas and other apus continues to be a part of Andean Indigenous cultures.