Paccha

For the mountain in Peru, see Phaqcha.
Paccha
San Francisco de Paccha (Saint Francis of Paccha)
San Francisco de Asis de Paccha (Saint Francis of Paccha)
Parish
Paccha
Coordinates: 2°54′S 78°56′W / 2.900°S 78.933°W / -2.900; -78.933Coordinates: 2°54′S 78°56′W / 2.900°S 78.933°W / -2.900; -78.933
Country  Ecuador
Province Azuay Province
Canton Cuenca Canton
Parish Saint Francis of Paccha May 12, 1582
GovernmentTeniente Parroquial (Parich Lieutenant & "Junta Parroquial" (Parish Assembly) .
 • Type Democratic
Area
 • Total 9.9 sq mi (25.6 km2)
Population (2001)
 • Total 5,311
Time zone ECT (UTC-5)

Paccha (hispanicized spelling of the Kichwa word pakcha meaning "waterfall")[1] is a town and parish in Cuenca Canton, Azuay Province, Ecuador. The parish covers an area of 25.6 km² and according to the 2001 Ecuadorian census it had a population total of 5,311.[2]

Origins

Founded "Parish Saint Francis of Paccha", on May 12, 1582 is one of the oldest parishes that make the City of Cuenca. Conformed by 20 villages (caserios) the parish is located 10 km from the center of the city of Cuenca. Some villages are relative close to the center of the city, Little Monay Village being the closest about 4 km away from the center of the city.

The name and meaning of Paccha could be interpreted and sourced in two ways both originating from the Pre-Colonial period or even before the invasion and conquering by the Inca Empire. One possible meaning lies in the actual fact that in the native language of the region, including the Inca Empire the Quechua meaning for Paccha (Pachamama) is our Mother Earth. Although for the Inca’s the Pachamama was also a Goddess similar to the goddess Demeter in the Greek Mythology. Another possible historical meaning lies in the fact that Paccha was also the name of the Princess Paccha a princess from the northern lands, who married the Inca Emperor Huayna Capac once the Inca’s had conquered the land that now makes Ecuador, and both fostered the last Inca Emperor Atahualpa.

References

  1. ↑ Fabián Potosí C. et al., Ministerio de Educación del Ecuador, Kichwa Yachakukkunapa Shimiyuk Kamu, Runa Shimi - Mishu Shimi, Mishu Shimi - Runa Shimi. Quito (DINEIB, Ecuador) 2009 (Kichwa-Spanish dictionary)
  2. ↑ "Parroquia Paccha". Asociación de Juntas Parroquiales Rurales del Azuay. Retrieved February 26, 2010.
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