![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/8/27480519/4562177.jpg)
Inca gods
The Incas worshiped a pantheon of nature gods and goddesses. The most important were: Inti (the sun god), Viracocha (the creator), Pachamama (the earth goddess), Mamacocha (the sea goddess), and Mamaquilla (the moon goddess). Inti was considered to be omnipotent and the highest god. The Incas believed that the members of the royal family were direct descendants of first emperor, Manco Capac and his sister-wife, Mama Occlo Huaco, children of Inti. (The emperor always married his sister as his official wife, therefore his heir was a pure-blood descendent of Inti and ruled with divine authority.) Viracocha was a culture hero for the Incas.
The Inti was believed to be the ancestor of the Incas. Inti was at the head of the state cult, and his worship was imposed throughout the Inca Empire. He was usually represented in human form, his face portrayed as a gold disk from which rays and flames extended. Example shown above:
The Incas worshiped a pantheon of nature gods and goddesses. The most important were: Inti (the sun god), Viracocha (the creator), Pachamama (the earth goddess), Mamacocha (the sea goddess), and Mamaquilla (the moon goddess). Inti was considered to be omnipotent and the highest god. The Incas believed that the members of the royal family were direct descendants of first emperor, Manco Capac and his sister-wife, Mama Occlo Huaco, children of Inti. (The emperor always married his sister as his official wife, therefore his heir was a pure-blood descendent of Inti and ruled with divine authority.) Viracocha was a culture hero for the Incas.
The Inti was believed to be the ancestor of the Incas. Inti was at the head of the state cult, and his worship was imposed throughout the Inca Empire. He was usually represented in human form, his face portrayed as a gold disk from which rays and flames extended. Example shown above:
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/8/27480519/381295.jpg)
The Viracocha was believed to have created the sun and moon on Lake Titicaca. According to tradition, after forming the rest of the heavens and the earth, Viracocha wandered through the world teaching men the arts of civilization. At Manta (Ecuador) he walked westward across the Pacific, promising to return one day. He was sometimes represented as an old man wearing a beard (a symbol of water gods) and a long robe and carrying a staff. Example shown to the left:
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/8/27480519/91167.jpg)
The Pachamama or Mama Pacha is a fertility goddess who presides over planting and harvesting. She causes earthquakes and is typically in the form of a dragon. This symbiosis or syncretism can be clearly seen in the picture The Virgin of the Mountain where the Mother Earth, represented by the mountain is above the Virgin Mary as well as being her skirt. Examples shown to the left:
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/8/27480519/3300813.jpg)
Mama Cocha is the goddess of sea. She protects fishermen and sailors, making sure that there are plenty of fish, preventing storms, and calming the seas. Mama Cocha was the mother of Mama Quilla, Goddess of the moon, and her brother/husband Inti, God of the sun. Mama Cocha’s name, which means “sea mother,” is also seen as Mama Qocha.
![Picture](/uploads/2/7/4/8/27480519/4420362.jpg)
Mama Quilla wife of the sun god, was the Moon Mother, and the regulator of women’s menstrual cycles. The waxing and waning of the moon was used to calculate monthly cycles, from which the time periods for Inca festivals were set. Silver was considered to be tears of the moon. The stars had minor functions.
Inca Rituals
Cannibalism
Cannibalism is the act of a human eating another human’s flesh. In Inca culture the act of cannibalism was always ritualistic. It tied to sacrifice, warfare, death and regeneration. It was believed that by consuming a person you would inherit their power, accomplishments and skills of the dead person.
Capac Raymi/ Inti Raymi
'The Capac Raymi' was one of the most crucial ceremonies that would take place in Inca Society. It occurred around the time of the summer solstice. It was a time where they could honor the Inca sun god Inti. The 'Capac Raymi' served as an initiation ceremony for the young men of the ruling class. When the solstice arrived the boys' ears would pierced so that large spools that are worn by Inca royalty could be inserted.
The 'Inti Raymi' took place during the winter solstice and was also a ceremony that honoured the sun god. This was because during winter the sun was furthest away from the earth and due to the fear of a famine the Inca would fast for days and plead for the sun to return. In return the Inca hierarchy would give the people a lavish banquet of meat. A white llama is usually sacrificed and a high priest will hold the heart up. This is to ensure the fertility of the earth. The Inca will then read the blood stained future of the Inca.
Capacocha
Capacocha was the most prominent sacrificial ceremony that took place in Inca society. It would involve the specific selection of mainly children who would be selected from all parts of the Inca Empire in order to be trained and prepared for the ritual. This selection was made every year and those chosen were destined to become sacrificial victims. These sacrificial victims were offerings to the sun god 'Inti' or to 'Viracocha'.
It was also used in events like war and famine as they believed that this was a sign that the gods were upset and the sacrifices would please the gods. The ceremony would take place in the Inca capital of Cuzco and the sacrifices would be sanctified by priests who would offer the sacrifices to 'Viracocha'. The sacrifices would then be taken along the sacred roads that linked the capital to the provinces. Here they would be either clubbed to death, strangled with a cord, or having their throat slit, before a burial would take place. Another alternative action would be being buried alive in a constructed tomb. These practices served two main purposes: to renew the bond between the Inca state and the people of the provinces, and to confirm the Incas lordship.
The Eight Day Feast
As the Incas relied heavily on agriculture in order for their society to function effectively it was very important to them to hold rituals that would honor the gods who make their crops grow. During the feast each day a ritual chanting begins at dawn when the sun rises. It then grows to a crescendo at noon, and finishes with silence by dusk. Burnt offerings of llamas are given to the sun god. The Inca royalty are dressed in clothing that is comprised of both silver and gold.
Inca Geography
The geography of Inca was rugged. The Andes Mountains, coastline deserts, and the Amazon jungle surrounded it. Inca was approximately 11,000 ft. above sea level. The Incas homes were in the high mountains. The Incas made their bridges out of sturdy vines so when the enemy attacked all they had to do was burn the bridge. The Andes Mountains and the Amazon jungle were natural barriers.
Inca Calendar/Dates
January – January was the month of penance and fasting.
v Made sacrifices
v Fasted
v Covered their bodies and heads with ashes
v Covering their bodies and heads is done in the temples of/to the sun and moon god
February – February is the month of offerings
v Offerings of great quantity such as silver and gold are made
v The months Inca is represented as kneeling bareheaded, making an offering to the stone Huanacouri
v This their wet season
v They visit the huacas of the high mountain and the snows
April – This month of the Feast of the Incas.
v The Incas sacrifice a “red sheep”.
v This is a great feast to everyone was invited, young and old, the rich, the poor, the lords, the princes, and any other Incas who wanted to come.
v They ate, sang, and danced on the main square
May – May is the month of the Feast of Aimare.
v The Incas sing and get drunk during this festival.
v Incans bring potatoes to the warehouses for the feast.
June – June is the month of Inti–Raimi.
v They drink “with” the sun
v Feast of the Sun
July – In June there is a harvest festival.
v The High Priest makes an agrarian sacrifice before an Incan.
v The Inca has to have their headdress removed.
August – In the month of August there is the feast of tiling.
v Four Incans dig
v Women bring the diggers chicha
v Chicha is a fermented corn beer
September – The great feast of the moon is in September.
v During this feast the whole town of Cuzco is purified.
October – In October there is a procession to ask God for water.
v The Chant goes like this – “This hungry black sheep helps men to weep and to ask God for water.”
November – In November there is the feast of the dead.
v The mummies of dead kings get carried around the state.
v The people give the mummies food, clothe them with rich robes, and put feathers on their heads.
v Incans sing and dance in the company of the dead.
v They carry the dead through the streets to the main square.
December - In December there is a feast called Capac Inti–Raimi.
v Capac – King
v Inti – Sun
v Raimi – Great Feast
v The sun is the king of the heavens, planets and stars, and everything in the sky.
v 500 innocent boys and girls are buried alive, standing upright.
v Along with these children as offerings the people give a precious plate and livestock.
v After the sacrifices the Incas eat and drink.
v Whoever gets too drunk, look at the women, spoke blaspheme, or used bad language/words all got killed.
Culture and Daily Life
In many ways, the Inca rulers were keen psychologists (people who study human thinking and behavior) who created a system to ensure that their people had neither the time nor the energy to rebel, commit crimes, or avoid their duties to the empire, their religion, their families, or their ayllus (pronounced EYE-yoos; extended families who lived in the same area, shared their land and work, and arranged for marriages and religious rituals as a group)Beyond obliging people to work very hard, the Inca government invited everyone to participate in lengthy festivals and other ceremonial activities directed by the empire.
At these festivities—perhaps the only break from their toil that common workers ever received—the commoners often indulged in heavy drinking with nobles. Many experts believe the festivals provided the cement that held the empire together.
One of the most important aspects of the Inca daily life was the ayllu. The ayllu was a group of families that worked a portion of land together. In an ayllu the members shared all that they had with each other. Everyone in the Inca Empire was a part of an ayllu.
The daily life of a peasant in the Inca Empire was full of hard work. The only time peasants were allowed not to work was during religious festivals. Other than that, they were expected to be working when they were not sleeping. Peasants also had to pay taxes to the government. Most peasants worked as farmers. Women stayed at home and worked. They cooked, cleaned and took care of the children. Most girls were married by 12 years old. The Inca nobles lived a much easier lifestyle. They still had to work, but had important jobs in the government. They could own land and didn't have to pay taxes.
Cannibalism
Cannibalism is the act of a human eating another human’s flesh. In Inca culture the act of cannibalism was always ritualistic. It tied to sacrifice, warfare, death and regeneration. It was believed that by consuming a person you would inherit their power, accomplishments and skills of the dead person.
Capac Raymi/ Inti Raymi
'The Capac Raymi' was one of the most crucial ceremonies that would take place in Inca Society. It occurred around the time of the summer solstice. It was a time where they could honor the Inca sun god Inti. The 'Capac Raymi' served as an initiation ceremony for the young men of the ruling class. When the solstice arrived the boys' ears would pierced so that large spools that are worn by Inca royalty could be inserted.
The 'Inti Raymi' took place during the winter solstice and was also a ceremony that honoured the sun god. This was because during winter the sun was furthest away from the earth and due to the fear of a famine the Inca would fast for days and plead for the sun to return. In return the Inca hierarchy would give the people a lavish banquet of meat. A white llama is usually sacrificed and a high priest will hold the heart up. This is to ensure the fertility of the earth. The Inca will then read the blood stained future of the Inca.
Capacocha
Capacocha was the most prominent sacrificial ceremony that took place in Inca society. It would involve the specific selection of mainly children who would be selected from all parts of the Inca Empire in order to be trained and prepared for the ritual. This selection was made every year and those chosen were destined to become sacrificial victims. These sacrificial victims were offerings to the sun god 'Inti' or to 'Viracocha'.
It was also used in events like war and famine as they believed that this was a sign that the gods were upset and the sacrifices would please the gods. The ceremony would take place in the Inca capital of Cuzco and the sacrifices would be sanctified by priests who would offer the sacrifices to 'Viracocha'. The sacrifices would then be taken along the sacred roads that linked the capital to the provinces. Here they would be either clubbed to death, strangled with a cord, or having their throat slit, before a burial would take place. Another alternative action would be being buried alive in a constructed tomb. These practices served two main purposes: to renew the bond between the Inca state and the people of the provinces, and to confirm the Incas lordship.
The Eight Day Feast
As the Incas relied heavily on agriculture in order for their society to function effectively it was very important to them to hold rituals that would honor the gods who make their crops grow. During the feast each day a ritual chanting begins at dawn when the sun rises. It then grows to a crescendo at noon, and finishes with silence by dusk. Burnt offerings of llamas are given to the sun god. The Inca royalty are dressed in clothing that is comprised of both silver and gold.
Inca Geography
The geography of Inca was rugged. The Andes Mountains, coastline deserts, and the Amazon jungle surrounded it. Inca was approximately 11,000 ft. above sea level. The Incas homes were in the high mountains. The Incas made their bridges out of sturdy vines so when the enemy attacked all they had to do was burn the bridge. The Andes Mountains and the Amazon jungle were natural barriers.
Inca Calendar/Dates
January – January was the month of penance and fasting.
v Made sacrifices
v Fasted
v Covered their bodies and heads with ashes
v Covering their bodies and heads is done in the temples of/to the sun and moon god
February – February is the month of offerings
v Offerings of great quantity such as silver and gold are made
v The months Inca is represented as kneeling bareheaded, making an offering to the stone Huanacouri
v This their wet season
v They visit the huacas of the high mountain and the snows
April – This month of the Feast of the Incas.
v The Incas sacrifice a “red sheep”.
v This is a great feast to everyone was invited, young and old, the rich, the poor, the lords, the princes, and any other Incas who wanted to come.
v They ate, sang, and danced on the main square
May – May is the month of the Feast of Aimare.
v The Incas sing and get drunk during this festival.
v Incans bring potatoes to the warehouses for the feast.
June – June is the month of Inti–Raimi.
v They drink “with” the sun
v Feast of the Sun
July – In June there is a harvest festival.
v The High Priest makes an agrarian sacrifice before an Incan.
v The Inca has to have their headdress removed.
August – In the month of August there is the feast of tiling.
v Four Incans dig
v Women bring the diggers chicha
v Chicha is a fermented corn beer
September – The great feast of the moon is in September.
v During this feast the whole town of Cuzco is purified.
October – In October there is a procession to ask God for water.
v The Chant goes like this – “This hungry black sheep helps men to weep and to ask God for water.”
November – In November there is the feast of the dead.
v The mummies of dead kings get carried around the state.
v The people give the mummies food, clothe them with rich robes, and put feathers on their heads.
v Incans sing and dance in the company of the dead.
v They carry the dead through the streets to the main square.
December - In December there is a feast called Capac Inti–Raimi.
v Capac – King
v Inti – Sun
v Raimi – Great Feast
v The sun is the king of the heavens, planets and stars, and everything in the sky.
v 500 innocent boys and girls are buried alive, standing upright.
v Along with these children as offerings the people give a precious plate and livestock.
v After the sacrifices the Incas eat and drink.
v Whoever gets too drunk, look at the women, spoke blaspheme, or used bad language/words all got killed.
Culture and Daily Life
In many ways, the Inca rulers were keen psychologists (people who study human thinking and behavior) who created a system to ensure that their people had neither the time nor the energy to rebel, commit crimes, or avoid their duties to the empire, their religion, their families, or their ayllus (pronounced EYE-yoos; extended families who lived in the same area, shared their land and work, and arranged for marriages and religious rituals as a group)Beyond obliging people to work very hard, the Inca government invited everyone to participate in lengthy festivals and other ceremonial activities directed by the empire.
At these festivities—perhaps the only break from their toil that common workers ever received—the commoners often indulged in heavy drinking with nobles. Many experts believe the festivals provided the cement that held the empire together.
One of the most important aspects of the Inca daily life was the ayllu. The ayllu was a group of families that worked a portion of land together. In an ayllu the members shared all that they had with each other. Everyone in the Inca Empire was a part of an ayllu.
The daily life of a peasant in the Inca Empire was full of hard work. The only time peasants were allowed not to work was during religious festivals. Other than that, they were expected to be working when they were not sleeping. Peasants also had to pay taxes to the government. Most peasants worked as farmers. Women stayed at home and worked. They cooked, cleaned and took care of the children. Most girls were married by 12 years old. The Inca nobles lived a much easier lifestyle. They still had to work, but had important jobs in the government. They could own land and didn't have to pay taxes.