ALPACA: Love

The Incas of South America said that Alpaca was a gift from Mama Pacha, the Earth Mother, a gift loaned to them for only as long as Alpaca was properly cared for. Magical and beguiling, Alpaca was treasured by the Incas for her fine wool. To the Incas, textiles were a source of wealth. They believed that if you stole and wore your enemy’s clothing, you had power over him. Since Alpaca's wool produced the softest and finest textiles, the Incas regarded Alpaca to be an animal of power.

To conquer the Incas, the Spanish had to kill off as many Alpacas that they could. To escape the invading Spaniards, some Incas fled to the high Andean plateaus. To save Alpaca, they took Her with them to places the Spanish could not go.

Then in the early 1800s, the Europeans discovered the softness of Alpaca’s wool. They encouraged the Peruvians to raise more Alpacas. The British Royal Family, like the Inca Royal Family centuries before, favored Alpaca's wool for their winter clothing.

Alpaca was safe, until the late 1900s, when Peruvian terrorists began killing them off. Again, Alpaca was saved by people who cared about her. The governments of Bolivia, Chile, and Peru sent Alpacas to Canada, the United States, and New Zealand to save Them. Through human efforts, Alpaca was safe again.

What was it about Alpaca that inspired people to help Her? Because of her hardy nature and gentleness, Alpaca kept people from harm with her warm wool. Out of love, they saved Her and cared for Her. They kept Her from harm by taking Her to safety. As Alpaca proves, love is powerful.

LLAMA: Watchfulness and Protection

Much more attractive than her cousin Dromedary Camel, Llama nonetheless has the same facial characteristics as He does–long eyelashes and long lips. For centuries, the people of the Andes in South America used Llama for transportation and food. Bred from wild Guanaco, Llama walks sure-footedly along high mountain paths. She moves with both feet on the same side of her body at the same time, to keep her balance. Unlike Horse, Llama does not suffer from mountain sickness.

Llama was important to the Incas. She carried their loads when they built their cities, roads, and irrigation systems. Still important today, Llama helps the people of the Andes, doing what She has been doing for centuries.

To express Herself, Llama hums or voices, "Orgle! Orgle!" She hums to her Baby (Cria) to assure Him that everything is all right. Different hums have different meanings. If She sees someone ready to harm her herd, Llama gives a loud orgle alarm. A chuckle followed by a snort means “BACK OFF!”

The Incas of South America had small stone images called conopas for their homes. These conopas were charged with protecting the home and the people inside. Many conopas were of Llama, who is fierce when protecting those left in her charge. She will attack the intruder by slashing with her front feet. Not only that, but She will orgle to warn everyone of danger. Llama is neither large nor powerful, but She guards well. Like Llama, you can learn to watch over your loved ones.

CAMEL FAMILY: Partnership

Today, the two branches of the Camel Family live on two different continents. Camels (Dromedary and Bactrian) live in the deserts of Eurasia. Llamas (Llama, Alpaca, Guanaco, and Vicuña) live in the high Andes Mountains of South America. The Camel Family (Camelidae) started in North America 40 million years ago. Some migrated to the high dry mountains of South America, while the rest migrated to the dry deserts of Asia.

Because of Camelids' remarkable ability to live in semi-arid areas, people domesticated Dromedary (one-humped) Camel, Llama, and Alpaca for food, shelter, clothing, and transportation. Many things make Camelids special. They can digest tough grasses and convert the grass to energy more efficiently than Sheep or Cows. Moreover, being the only Mammal with oval red blood corpuscles helps Camelids to thrive under harsh conditions. (Their blood helps them to breathe more efficiently.) Their large pads on the soles of their feet give Camelids traction on rocky and sandy soil. Camelids' tough, leathery footpads are broad enough to prevent Them from sinking in sand or snow.

Camelids have been in service to people for thousands of years. In Arabia, Dromedary Camel has provided transportation for people and their belongings. The Bedouins wove his wooly fleece into clothes and blankets. The Incas of South America raised Llamas to be their pack animals, and Alpacas for their wool.
Camelids are highly regarded by the people they serve. The Bedouins call Dromedary Camel, “Ata Allah” (God’s Gift). The Incas called Alpaca a gift from Mama Pacha, the Earth Mother--a gift loaned to humans for as long as They were properly cared for.

The Camel Family has been long known for their partnership with people. Learn cooperation and partnership from the Camel Family. Just do not resort to spitting to express yourself, as various Camelids are apt to do.