Around the year 1200, the Inca civilization began in Cusco. The Incas worshiped a variety of gods, but the Godfather Sun was the most powerful. No sun, no life.
The Incas congregating were coming from far away, bringing the best of their products they harvested and the nicest animals they bred in a year. They desired to make offerings to the Pachamama, or Mother Earth, whom they believed to be alive.
Nowadays, on June 24th, the Inti Raymi is still commemorated by performers who continue to speak Quechua in order to honorably portray the Inca, who are their ancestors.
«Inti» means the Godfather Sun, and «Raymi», festivity.
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Why June 24th?
The Incas came to Cusco during the summer solstice because they knew the Godfather Sun would be passing through this sacred location. They used to honor God on June 21, but the date was altered to June 24 after they had to accept the Spanish invasion. According to the Roman calendar, June 24 is the day of Midsummer. Unfortunately, the Catholics pushed this new concept so thoroughly that the Incas began to celebrate their important Inti Raymi on these dates as well. When Catholics arrived in Cusco, they were startled to find Incas carrying their dead on their shoulders, according to locals.
All of these customs passed into history and were forgotten for a long time. Until the early 1900s, when some neighborhoods made the decision to reintroduce Incan rituals. The majority of our celebrations during those days are, of course, related to the Cusco festivities. Everyone strives to pass at least one day during that month, starting with small degrees in school such as kindergarten, primary, and secondary. All of these celebrations are in honor of Cusco’s anniversary days.
The beginning is the temple
The event always begins in the Qorikancha Inca temple, which is considered the most important Inca temple because it is where the majority of the many idols are gathered. Then they make their way all the way to the main square, traveling through those exquisite Inca streets, with their magnificent Inca stonework, whose roadways were precisely aligned with one another. By strolling between these streets, you’ll arrive at the main square, where they’ve set up an Ushno (a kind of altar) in the center, where the Inca will come up and deliver a brief statement explaining what they’re going to do and why.
Then this Inka and his troupe of dancers, as well as others accompanying him, would gradually make their way up to Sacsaywaman. They still celebrate Inti Raymi in the large flat fields of Sacsaywaman, as they did before this Inti Raymi.
Sacrifices
They used to sacrifice animals, particularly black llamas, as was tradition. And, as is customary, they make Chicha, a corn-based Incan beverage. All of these were shown to the Godfather Sun for the mountains surrounding them in that mythical method they used to live before.
Cusco festivities, especially Inti Raymi, are so important to modern Incas because it is their culture. That’s where they come from.
