Incan Gods & Sexy Woman
On June 24, a throng of actors specially selected to reenact the rituals of Inti Raymi gather at the Koricancha Square in front of the Santo Dominigo Church. The rituals that take place are a daylong affair that draws the largest crowds of the week. These actors represent various figures from Incan royalty including the Sapa Inca (Sun King) and his wife, Mama Ocllo. To be selected for one of these two roles is the highest honor possible. The Sapa Inca delivers a traditional oration in praise of the sun after which he’s carried upon his massive throne in a royal procession to Sacsayhuaman (sometimes affectionately referred to as “Sexy Woman”), an ancient fortress made of impossibly stacked stones located in the hills overlooking Cuzco. The congregation following the Sun King includes actors occupying the roles of priests and nobles from the traditional Incan hierarchies, bedecked in lavish jewelry and colorful robes. The path they walk to the fortress is strewn with flowers and constantly swept by groups of women keeping it free of evil spirits.
Once the congregation reaches the grand square of the fortress, Sapa Inca delivers another oration followed by representatives of the Suyos, which include the Snake to represent the underworld, the Puma representing terrestrial, or earthly life, and the Condor representing the Heavens. Following this, the ritual of sacrificing a white llama takes place after which the high priest holds the llama’s beating heart up to honor Pachamama (the Mother Earth goddess), to ensure that the Earth will be fertile and that crops will be abundant. (For you animal activists, don’t worry there’s no animals harmed in this ritual anymore.)
The vibe at the Inti Raymi festival celebration is reverent yet jovial. This is certainly not a place to be disrespectful as there are many centuries of tradition to be acknowledged at this festival. Yes, this is pre-scientific, superstitious culture but it’s also a reminder of the power of the human mind and its tendency to believe what it says. We’ve come a long way as a species and it’s just as edifying to acknowledge where we came from as it is to consider where we’re going. At sunset, a great fire and dance ritual honors Tawantinsuyo, the name the Inca gave their territory (Tawa meaning Four, Inti meaning Sun and Suyo meaning Direction; all combined this amounts to “The Four Directions Under the Sun”). The final phase of the festival finds the procession making its long march back to Cuzco with the Sun King and Queen held high atop their thrones.
Incan Gods & Sexy WomanOn June 24, a throng of actors specially selected to reenact the rituals of Inti Raymi gather at the Koricancha Square in front of the Santo Dominigo Church. The rituals that take place are a daylong affair that draws the largest crowds of the week. These actors represent various figures from Incan royalty including the Sapa Inca (Sun King) and his wife, Mama Ocllo. To be selected for one of these two roles is the highest honor possible. The Sapa Inca delivers a traditional oration in praise of the sun after which he’s carried upon his massive throne in a royal procession to Sacsayhuaman (sometimes affectionately referred to as “Sexy Woman”), an ancient fortress made of impossibly stacked stones located in the hills overlooking Cuzco. The congregation following the Sun King includes actors occupying the roles of priests and nobles from the traditional Incan hierarchies, bedecked in lavish jewelry and colorful robes. The path they walk to the fortress is strewn with flowers and constantly swept by groups of women keeping it free of evil spirits.Once the congregation reaches the grand square of the fortress, Sapa Inca delivers another oration followed by representatives of the Suyos, which include the Snake to represent the underworld, the Puma representing terrestrial, or earthly life, and the Condor representing the Heavens. Following this, the ritual of sacrificing a white llama takes place after which the high priest holds the llama’s beating heart up to honor Pachamama (the Mother Earth goddess), to ensure that the Earth will be fertile and that crops will be abundant. (For you animal activists, don’t worry there’s no animals harmed in this ritual anymore.)The vibe at the Inti Raymi festival celebration is reverent yet jovial. This is certainly not a place to be disrespectful as there are many centuries of tradition to be acknowledged at this festival. Yes, this is pre-scientific, superstitious culture but it’s also a reminder of the power of the human mind and its tendency to believe what it says. We’ve come a long way as a species and it’s just as edifying to acknowledge where we came from as it is to consider where we’re going. At sunset, a great fire and dance ritual honors Tawantinsuyo, the name the Inca gave their territory (Tawa meaning Four, Inti meaning Sun and Suyo meaning Direction; all combined this amounts to “The Four Directions Under the Sun”). The final phase of the festival finds the procession making its long march back to Cuzco with the Sun King and Queen held high atop their thrones.
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