Before the colonial
Spaniards banned the ceremonial events occurring each Winter Solstice in Cuzco, the native
residents gathered to honor the Sun God, sacrifice an animal to ensure good crops and to
pay homage to the Inca, as the first born Son of the Sun.
The ceremonies took place at the winter solstice, when the sun is farthest
from the earth. Fearing the lack of sun and ensuing famine, the ancient Incas gathered in
Cuzco to honor the Sun God and plead for his return. The celebrants fasted for days before
the event, refrained from physical pleasures and presented gifts to the Inca, who in
return put on a lavish banquet of meat, corn bread, chicha
and coca tea as they prepared to sacrifice llamas to ensure good crops and fertile fields.
In 1572, Viceroy Toledo banned Inti Raymi celebrations as pagan and contrary
to the Catholic faith. Following the edict, the ceremonies went underground.
Today, it's the second largest festival in South America. Hundreds of
thousands of people converge on Cuzco from other parts of the nation, South America and
the world for a week long celebration marking the beginning of a new year, the Inti Raymi,
the Festival of the Sun.
Every day has its events, from daytime expositions, street fairs, and people
smiling and dancing in the streets. In the evenings, live music from the best of Peruvian
musical groups draws the crowds to the Plaza de Armas for free concerts. During the
preceding year, in preparation for Inti Raymi, hundreds of actors are chosen to represent
historical figures. Being selected to portray the Sapa Inca or his wife, Mama Occla, is a
great honor.
The centerpiece of the festival are the all-day celebrations on June 24, the
actual day of Inti Raymi. On this day, the ceremonial events begin with an invocation by
the Sapa Inca in the Qorikancha square in front of the Santo Domingo church, built over
the ancient Temple of the Sun. Here, the Sapa Inca calls on the blessings from the sun.
Following the oration, Sapa Inca is carried on a golden throne, a replica of the original
which weighed about 60 kilos, in a procession to the ancient fortress of Sacsayhuamán, in
the hills above Cuzco. With the Sapa Inca come the high priests, garbed in ceremonial
robes, then officials of the court, nobles and others, all elaborately costumed according
to their rank, with silver and gold ornaments.
They walk along flower-bedecked streets, to music and prayers and dancing.
Women sweep the streets to clear them of evil spirits. At Sacsayhuaan where huge crowds
await the arrival of the procession, Sapa Inca climbs to the sacred altar where all can
see him.
Once all the celebrants are in place in the grand square of the fortress,
there are speeches by Sapa Inca, the priests and representatives of the Suyos: the Snake
for the world below, the Puma for life on earth, and the Condor for the upper world of the
gods.
A white llama is sacrificed (now in a very realistic stage act) and the high
priest holds aloft the bloody heart in honor of Pachamama.
This is done to ensure the fertility of the earth which in combination with light and
warmth from the sun provides a bountiful crop. The priests read the blood stains to see
the future for the Inca.
As the sun begins to set, stacks of straw are set on fire and the celebrants
dance around them to honor Tawantinsuty or the
Empire of the Four Wind Directions. In ancient times, no fire was allowed that day until
the evening fires.
The ceremony of Inti Raymi ends with a procession back to Cuzco. Sapa Inca
and Mama Occla are carried on their thrones, the high priests and representatives of the
Supas pronounce blessings on the people. Once again, a new year has begun.
June 24 is also celebrated throughout Peru as Indians Day or Peasants Day.
