Inti Raymi Festa Do Sol May 14, 2010

The Sun, the main God of the Inca Civilization was considered to be the creator of all that exists. It presided over the destinies of man and the universe.

The most luxurious celebration to be performed in Cusco was thus dedicated to the king star of the Incas. The Sun was to be adored and offered sacrifices so as to avoid that during its lengthy journey through sky and space, it should leave the Earth and its children, and ensure its return offering heat and joy.

OBJECT OF THE CELEBRATION OF THE SUN

Several reasons compelled the Inca civilization to make sacrifices and offerings to their king star the sun. One of them was that the Inca, as well as Cusqueñan nobility, were considered to be natural children of the Sun. To him they owed their existence, for which recognition was due with sacrifices and offerings. On the other hand, if the corn harvest was good in the last agricultural year, it was necessary to be thankful, and if the harvest was poor, it was necessary to request that it be compensated with a better one the following year. Finally, in June (winter solstice) as the Sun moved away and temperatures dropped, at dawns water froze, therefore it was necessary to request that the Sun return, that after twilight it should not continue advancing towards the north.

Finally, it was necessary to attest to the Sun, the eternal and total gift of his children, with submission and respect.

PLACE WHERE THE CELEBRATION WAS MADE IN THE INKANATO

In Inca society the Celebration of the Sun or INTI RAYMI in quechua, was performed twice a year, at the winter solstice (June 21st) and the summer solstice (December 22nd), although the June event had greater meaning. Each celebration in Cusco was performed successively in two locations: 1/ the great square, the greatest of the whole empire, whose area corresponds to the space occupied today by Cuzco’s Plaza de Armas, the main square, the Regocijo Square, the Merced Square, and three blocks of buildings. 2/ The present Santo Domingo Square (Inti-pampa or plain of the Sun) and the interiors of the church that was once the Temple of the Sun, within the ample complex of temples or chapels that was called Qorikancha.

The retinue, in correct hierarchical order, of course including the Inca, at a given moment went from the Great Square to the Qorikancha, and after the liturgy returned to the Great Square. The ceremony began before dawn. Headed by the Inca, the nobility of blood, the cusqueñan nobility, located themselves in the part of the Square called Waqaypata or Place of the Weeping, also denominated Aucaypata or Haucaypata, or Warriors’ Place. The numerous provincial nobility located themselves in another area called the Place of Rejoice or Kusiypata.

THE PRESENT STAGING

Not being possible now to recreate the Inti Raymi ceremony in the original Inca locations for obvious reasons, it has been thought appropriate to perform the celebration in the great archaeological complex called Sacsayhuamán, that lies to the north of the main square, next to the city. From the Main Square to Sacsayhuamán, the distance by road is no greater than three kilometres.

In the Inca’s time all the assistants to the great ceremony were participants, performing the ritual with total sincerity and religious devotion. None were spectators, or employed actors. They were believers who very devotedly concurred with a faith that reached its paroxysm. During most of the ceremony they were barefoot, like an expression of supreme respect, a custom that continues in the natives. At a given moment they cried while singing, according to their idiosyncrasy, which in quechua is called waqay-taki.
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