The sacred leaves of the Coca plant, sacred to the indigenous groups that live in the South American jungles and mountains. Abstraction and connection with water, this photo is the reflection in the river of the leaves.

Valuing the leaves as highly as gold, the Inca, Tairona and Aymara treasured coca not only for its medicinal properties, but for the important part it played in their sacred rites and rituals.

The sacred leaves represent the spirit of a beautiful and strong woman in Andean culture. 

Indigenous shamans and healers often use coca leaves for divination and guidance. They interpret the arrangement and patterns of coca leaves after they have been chewed or placed in a specific configuration. This practice is believed to provide insights into personal or communal issues and to connect with the spiritual world. In Andean, Amazonian and Caribbean communities, sharing coca leaves is a significant social gesture. It is customary to offer coca leaves to guests as a sign of hospitality and unity. The act of sharing coca leaves fosters a sense of community and connection among individuals.