chacchar

An Andean term (Ecuador, Peru) for the traditional practice of chewing coca leaves — placing a wad of leaves in the cheek along with a mild alkaline substance (llipta or tocra) to release their mildly stimulating effect: los mineros chacchan coca durante la jornada. Deeply rooted in Andean indigenous culture, tied to the ritual known as acullico or chacchado.

• Los trabajadores de la mina chacchan coca para soportar la altura. — The mine workers chew coca to withstand the altitude.
• En los Andes, chacchar coca es una costumbre milenaria. — In the Andes, chewing coca is an age-old custom.
• Le ofrecieron chacchar coca como gesto de bienvenida. — They offered him coca leaves to chew as a gesture of welcome.

Confusing chacchar with using cocaine — chewing raw coca leaves is a traditional, legal Andean practice with a mild effect, entirely distinct from cocaine, a processed narcotic.