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While doing the tourist thing in Peru, the SO and I kept stumbling onto small statues outside and inside of businesses – especially hotels and restaurants – that depicted a man with a cigarette and bags of food, money and a happy look. They are known as Ekekos and are a representation of an Andean god of abundance. In Puno (Peru) there is a festival each year which celebrates him in various ways.
It is common to have a small representation of Ekeko in the home with the stipulation that you NEVER have two in the house. That is because they will end up fighting each other and dissolving whatever benefit one of them would give.
They were not well known in the US at the time but lately they have been showing up on Etsy, Amazon, and other places. All that I found have been Anglicized so the money is the US dollar and the cigarette has disappeared. The cigarette is part of the whole history and seems a shame to lose it. Rewriting the gods seems to always be ongoing.
Our Ekeko is small and from Cusco. We packed him with us for almost two weeks and finally got back to the US only to have Cooper (our doggo) decide he needed to eat the ‘abundance’ symbols (which were dried foods and candies). We saved Ekeko from the monster and put him back together. He is now gracing our entertainment center (aka TV stand) and has been for years.
Our Ekeko is without his cigarette which was candy and now dog poo.
Summary of Ekeko using traditional sources and AIs
The Ekeko is a traditional Andean figure revered as the god of abundance, prosperity, and good fortune, particularly in Peru and Bolivia. Originating from the pre-Columbian Tiwanaku civilization, Ekeko has evolved into a cherished symbol of wealth and well-being in Andean culture.Thaki Travel UK+8Wikipedia+8Peru Travel+8
Appearance and Symbolism
Ekeko is typically depicted as a jovial man adorned in traditional Andean attire, often carrying miniature items such as food, money, household goods, and other symbols of prosperity. These items represent the material desires of devotees, with the belief that Ekeko will help manifest these wishes into reality. Wikipedia
Cultural Significance
In Peru, Ekeko is celebrated during the Alasitas festival, where people purchase miniature versions of the items they desire and offer them to Ekeko, hoping for their real-life counterparts in the coming year. This tradition underscores Ekeko’s role as a provider of abundance and a protector of households.Wikipedia+1Reddit+1Amazon+7Peru Travel+7Mythlok+7
Rituals and Offerings
Devotees often place Ekeko statues in their homes, offering him cigarettes, money, or other tokens to invoke his blessings. It’s customary to light a cigarette for Ekeko on specific days, such as Tuesdays and Fridays, as a sign of respect and to ensure his favor. eBay
Legend of Ekeko
A popular legend tells of Paulita Tintaya, a young woman in La Paz, Bolivia, who received a small Ekeko statue from her lover, Isidoro Choquehuanca. During a siege in 1781, Isidoro secretly provided food to Paulita by placing it near the statue, leading to the belief in Ekeko’s power to provide sustenance and protection during difficult times. Thaki Travel UK+3Wikipedia+3Reddit+3
Today, Ekeko remains a vibrant part of Andean culture, embodying the hopes and aspirations of those seeking prosperity and happiness
Late edit: The above links are in English but if you can handle Spanish, there are some great links that are easy to read for us who use Spanish as a second language. Google Ekeko in Spanish. Por ejemplo: Ekeko: de dónde viene el hombrecito cargado de bienes que muchas familias peruanas (y sudamericanas) tienen en casa - BBC News Mundo
