Inti Raymi The festival of the Sun
Surely you have heard of Inti Raymi the festival of the sun in Cusco. This ancestral festival celebrated in June of each year, is undoubtedly one of the biggest attractions that many travelers want to witness.
Full of music, history, culture, and theater, the festival of Inti Raymi seeks to recall the Inca era and bring us what it meant for them a party of maximum offering to their god the Sun. Don’t worry, here we will tell you all about it.
What is Inti Raymi?
In 1944, the people of Cusco organized a festival to commemorate their Inca ancestors and this created the Inti Raymi, a giant staging that evokes the Inca tradition.
It is a religious celebration that comes from Inca times, in which a representative of the Inca along with different representatives of the four of them and emblematic figures of the ancient empire, make an appearance in the wide court of the aforementioned fortress.
Nowadays, this festivity brings together both locals and foreign visitors because many cultural activities and ceremonies take place during the celebration. In particular, the main attraction is the theatrical representation of this ancestral tradition, which transports visitors back to Inca times.
Inti Raymi Festival, is one of the most important festivities and celebrations in Cusco.
What does Inti Raymi mean?
Inti Raymi’ is a Quechua word that means ‘Festival of the Sun’. In ancient times, in Inca times, this celebration was called ‘Wawa Inti Raymi’ which means ‘Feast of the Sun Child’.
When is Inti Raymi celebrated?
The Inti Raymi is celebrated every June 24, this date is because it coincides with the Day of the Peasant. In Cusco, this date was declared a holiday.
How is the celebration of Inti Raymi?
At around 7 in the morning, the Inti Raymi ceremony, also known as the Festival of the Sun God, begins at the Koricancha, or Temple of the Sun. First, the general of the army, known as the Sinchi, appears together with his guards and the imperial army.
Then, the Aqllas, the Tika Takunas (women who throw flowers), and the Pichaqcunas (those who clean the place) take part in the ceremony, creating a spectacular representation of Inca tradition.
We will listen to traditional music (pututus, quenas and tamborcillos), and the last to appear and also accompanied by music are the Inca and his Coya (wife).
Here the offering that the Inca offers to Taita Inti is the chicha of Jora, for after this first staging we go to the esplanade of Saqsayhuman.
The sequence is the same first the Sinchi and at the end we will see the Inca go out, the Inca toasts (with a kero in his hands full of chicha de jora), with the sun and then throws a glass of chicha to a gutter that is in the direction of the Koricancha (Temple of the sun).
WILLKA NINAKAMAYOC
First, the WILLKA NINAKAMAYOC, the guardian of the sacred fire, lights and maintains the fire throughout the ceremony. Then, the moment of the sacrifice arrives, and the TARPUTAY, the priest in charge of the oracle, asks for a young black llama to be brought forward.
Afterward, the priest raises a tumi toward the sun, opens the left side of the animal, and removes its heart as an offering to the Sun God.
Other priests in charge read the viscera, blood, and fat of the animal. When everything is of satisfactory result they throw the viscera to the fire. At the sight of the smoke, the WILLAC UMU rejoices for the good omens.
The party ends in contagious joy for the people. Throughout the Inca rite, we will see hundreds of dancers in colorful costumes and traditional music that completely embellishes the magnificent scenery.
General Inti Raymi Schedule
| BEGINNING: | 09:00 a.m Qorikancha Temple (Av. El Sol). |
| CEREMONY: | 10:30 a.m. Hawqaypata Square (Main Square of Cusco). CENTRAL CEREMONY: 01:45 p.m. |
| CENTRAL CEREMONY: | 01:45 p.m. Chukipampa Esplanade – Sacsayhuaman. |
History of the Inti Raymi
All accounts of the history of this festival are based mostly on the chroniclers who focused their studies on the significance of this festival. They indicate in the accounts the participation of important curacas from all regions of the empire as well as the Inca himself.
Through this celebration, the Incas legitimized their dominion over every corner of their vast empire, which covered several regions of the current countries of Peru, Bolivia, Ecuador, Colombia, Argentina, and Chile.
Every winter solstice (between June 20 and 23), the Inca performed a ritual in honor of the sun, the maximum divinity in the Tahuantinsuyo, through a multitudinous ceremony in which representatives from all over the empire participated.
Inti Raymi today
Since 1944, this tradition was reinstated in Cusco on the initiative of the Cusquenian artist Faustino Espinoza. Today, it is one of the most important celebrations in Peru. Its celebration includes dances, performances, typical costumes, and a series of activities ideal for tourism. After 60 years, this unique celebration has become part of the tradition in the city of Cusco.
How to attend the Inti Raymi?
To attend the Inti Raymi it is necessary to reserve tickets well in advance. This can be done through accredited agencies such as Machu Picchu Peru Tours or through Emufec.
Remember that at the Qorikancha there will be grandstands for 300 spectators. In addition, access to the performance held in the Plaza de Armas is free, although it is recommended to arrive early to get a good viewing spot.
Meanwhile, to watch the performance at Sacsayhuamán, visitors must purchase tickets for seats located in grandstands with comfortable accommodations.
Plan your vacations and come visit this magnificent celebration that promises to transport you to the world of the Incas.
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