Inti Raymi

As the summer solstice approaches, Cusco, Peru, celebrates one of the most important and lively celebrations on the Andean calendar: Inti Raymi. This ancient event, also known as the Festival of the Sun, is a spectacular tribute to the Sun God, Inti, whom the Incas venerated. Inti Raymi provides travellers and culture aficionados with a one-of-a-kind peek into Peru’s rich history and enduring cultural legacy.

Inti Raymi, which means “Sun Festival” in Quechua, has been celebrated since the Inca Empire’s height. This spectacular ceremony, founded by the ninth Sapa Inca, Pachacuti, in the 15th century, commemorated the Southern Hemisphere’s winter solstice, the moment when the sun is furthest from the equator. This critical occasion marked the start of the Incan New Year, a time of rejuvenation and hope.

The Incas held that Inti, the Sun God, was the ancestor of their monarchs and the most significant deity in their pantheon. The event was more than just a celebration of the sun; it was also a way to ensure the fertility of their fields and the well-being of their people. Rituals, sacrifices, and offerings were performed to honour Inti and obtain his blessings for plentiful crops.

Inti Raymi traces its origins back to the Inca civilization’s agricultural cycles. The Incas were adept farmers who relied largely on sunlight for their crops. The winter solstice was a watershed moment in the agricultural calendar, signalling the return of longer days and the prospect of abundant harvests. The Sapa Inca and his priests would perform elaborate ceremonies to appease Inti, requesting his protection and favour for the coming year.

At the height of the festival, the Sapa Inca would undertake a theatrical rite in which he would serve the Sun God a drink made from chicha, a traditional maize beer. This gesture symbolised the emperor’s strong relationship with Inti, reaffirming the Inca monarchs’ divine right to control their people. The ceremony also involved the sacrifice of llamas, whose blood was thought to purify and fertilise the ground, bringing wealth to the community.

Inca civilization was inextricably linked to agricultural cycles and religious observances, and Inti Raymi embodied both. The event represented a public confirmation of the community’s relationship with their gods, particularly Inti. The festivities, presided over by the Sapa Inca himself, emphasised the Inca Empire’s social and political coherence. The ceremony strengthened the Incas’ cosmological ideas and reliance on celestial happenings.

After the Spanish conquered the Inca Empire in the 16th century, many indigenous traditions, like Inti Raymi, were suppressed. However, the celebration was revived in 1944 by Cusco’s cultural authorities, who recognised the need of conserving and commemorating Incan tradition. Today, Inti Raymi is a vibrant and dynamic festival that draws thousands of tourists from all over the world who want to see this show of history and culture.

Modern-day Inti Raymi begins with a magnificent procession through Cusco’s streets, concluding at the historical site of Sacsayhuamán. Participants dress in extravagant traditional Inca costume, including the Sapa Inca and his royal court’s ornate robes. The procession is a visual feast, with musicians playing traditional Andean instruments, dancers performing ancient rites, and priests praying in Quechua.

The ceremonial procession is one of the most fascinating parts of Inti Raymi. It begins at Cusco’s Qorikancha, or Sun Temple. From there, the procession heads to the Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square, before ascending to the Sacsayhuamán stronghold. This voyage symbolises the Incas’ ancient quest to honour their gods.

The event revolves around the ritual offerings offered to Inti and other deities. Participants make chicha (corn beer), coca leaves, and a variety of traditional meals as offerings. These acts of devotion are carried out with profound reverence, representing thanks and petition for the gods’ favour.

Music and dance are central to Inti Raymi, reflecting the festival’s joyous spirit. Traditional Andean instruments like the pan flute and charango play melancholy tunes, while dancers perform choreographed routines passed down through generations. These performances relate stories about Incan mythology, agricultural cycles, and historical events, which provide complexity to the festival’s story.

The culmination of Inti Raymi takes place at Sacsayhuamán, a beautiful stone fortification that overlooks Cusco. The Sapa Inca, portrayed by an actor, performs the key ceremonies, including a symbolic sacrifice to honour Inti. The ceremony is a spectacular recreation of old Incan rituals, complete with exquisite costumes, extravagant set pieces, and passionate prayers. This venue, with its historical and architectural grandeur, provides an exquisite backdrop for the festival’s most important activities.