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Inti Raymi 2024: the Sun Festival of Peru

Reading : 6 min April 17 2023

Inti Raymi, also known as the "Festival of the Sun," is an annual celebration that takes place in Cusco, Peru. This vibrant and colorful festival brings together locals and visitors to celebrate the winter solstice and pay homage to the sun god, Inti. The festival has been celebrated for centuries and has become one of Peru's most important cultural events.

What will you find here?

  1. What is Inti Raymi?
  2. Inti Raymi Festival
  3. When is Inti Raymi celebrated?
  4. How is Inti Raymi celebrated?
  5. Inti Raymi History and traditions
  6. Inti Raymi meaning
  7. Where is Inti Raymi celebrated?
  8. Inti Raymi Summary
  9. Inti Raymi Dances
  10. What happens at Inti Raymi?
  11. How long does Inti Raymi last?
  12. What is eaten at Inti Raymi?
  13. Fun Fact

What is Inti Raymi?

Inti Raymi is an Inca celebration originating from the time of Pachacutec as a ceremony to worship the Sun god. Over time, it has become one of Peru's most important and crowded celebrations. This festival takes place during the winter solstice when the sun is farthest from the earth in the South American hemisphere, and the day is shortest. The solstice also marks the beginning of winter and a new agricultural cycle.

According to the calendar, this event occurs on June 21, but Inti Raymi is celebrated on the 24th, alongside the Day of the Peasant and the religious festival of San Juan. It is believed that in ancient times, Inti Raymi was celebrated on June 21, but the date was changed under the influence of the Catholic Church.

It is said that the Incas made offerings to the sun so that it wouldn't completely disappear and would return to illuminate their lands, provide warmth, food, and ensure their luck.

Inti Raymi: el inca y su majestuosa fiesta

Inti Raymi Festival

The Inti Raymi Festival, or "Festival of the Sun," is a traditional celebration commemorating the sun god Inti, one of the most revered deities in the Inca Empire. This festival, held every June 24, coincides with the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, marking the beginning of a new year in the Inca calendar. Here are some details about this festival:

 

When is Inti Raymi celebrated?

The Inti Raymi festival is celebrated every year on June 24. This date coincides with the winter solstice in the southern hemisphere, which is a significant astronomical moment in the Andean region.

The festival, primarily held in Cusco, Peru, is one of the most important celebrations in Andean culture and attracts thousands of visitors from around the world.

 

How is Inti Raymi celebrated?

Inti Raymi, or the "Festival of the Sun," is celebrated with a series of ceremonies and events that recreate the traditions and rituals of the ancient Inca Empire. This festival, taking place in Cusco, Peru, on June 24 each year, follows a detailed program that includes the following acts:

  • Ceremony at Qorikancha: The celebration begins at the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha), where an initial ceremony is held in honor of the sun god Inti.
  • Procession to the Plaza de Armas: After the ceremony at Qorikancha, participants, dressed in traditional Inca costumes, process to the Plaza de Armas of Cusco. Here, more rituals and dances take place.
  • Main Ceremony at Sacsayhuamán: The final and most important act occurs at the fortress of Sacsayhuamán, located on the outskirts of Cusco. This ceremony includes offerings, invocations, and theatrical representations related to the worship of the sun and Inca rituals.

During Inti Raymi, the role of the Sapa Inca (the Inca emperor) is central, and his representation carries out various symbolic rituals. Participants in the ceremony perform traditional dances and music, reenacting ancient rituals, including symbolic offerings and gratitude to the sun god.

The festival provides an opportunity for both locals and visitors to experience and appreciate the rich culture and traditions of the Inca Empire. Inti Raymi has become a significant tourist attraction and a meaningful cultural event, drawing thousands of people each year.

shutterstock_1116207011

 

Inti Raymi History and traditions

Inti Raymi, known as the "Festival of the Sun," has a rich history dating back to the Inca Empire in South America:

  1. Origins in the Inca Empire: Inti Raymi was established during the reign of Pachacutec, who was the ninth Sapa Inca of the Inca Empire, around the 15th century. It was one of the most important festivities in the Inca calendar, dedicated to Inti, the sun god, worshipped as the primary deity.

  2. Purpose of the Celebration: The festival was held to mark the winter solstice in the Andes, corresponding to the end of the harvest season and the beginning of the new agricultural year. It was a time to thank the sun god for past harvests and seek his blessing for the upcoming planting cycle.

  3. Rituals and Ceremonies: During Inti Raymi, a series of rituals and ceremonies took place, including animal sacrifices, food offerings, dances, and chants, all designed to honor Inti. The Sapa Inca played a central role in these ceremonies.

  4. Prohibition and Revitalization: After the Spanish conquest of the Incas in the 16th century, Inti Raymi was banned as part of the effort to eradicate indigenous religious practices. However, the festival was revived in the 20th century as a cultural and tourist celebration.

  5. Modern Inti Raymi: Today, Inti Raymi is celebrated annually on June 24 in Cusco, Peru, as a theatrical recreation of ancient Inca ceremonies. Although it has lost its original religious significance, it remains an important expression of Andean culture and attracts thousands of tourists and locals each year.
shutterstock_1282264606

 

Inti Raymi meaning

The term "Inti Raymi" translates to "Festival of the Sun" in Quechua, the language of the Incas. "Inti" means "sun," and "Raymi" translates as "festival" or "ceremony." This celebration was one of the most important in the Inca calendar, dedicated to honoring the sun god Inti, a central deity in Inca cosmology.

Inti Raymi marked the winter solstice and was a time for rituals and celebrations to thank the sun for harvests and to request its return and warmth to ensure prosperity and good crops in the coming year.

 

Where is Inti Raymi celebrated?

The celebration takes place at three historical and significant locations in the city:

  1. Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun): The festivities begin at this ancient temple, a key ceremonial center in the Inca Empire.

  2. Plaza de Armas de Cusco: The celebration continues in the city's main square, where various ceremonial acts take place.

  3. Fortress of Sacsayhuamán: This is the main celebration site for Inti Raymi, where the central ceremony occurs. Sacsayhuamán, an impressive fortress on the outskirts of Cusco, provides a significant historical and cultural backdrop for the event.

 

Inti Raymi Summary

Inti Raymi, or the "Festival of the Sun," is one of Peru's most important and colorful celebrations, celebrating the traditions and culture of the Inca Empire. Here are some key aspects of this event:

  1. History and Origin: Inti Raymi was one of the most important festivities in the Inca Empire, dedicated to the sun god Inti. Originally, it marked the winter solstice and was a time for rituals and offerings to ensure good harvests. It was established during the reign of Pachacutec in the 15th century.

  2. Prohibition and Revitalization: After the arrival of the Spanish, Inti Raymi was banned as a pagan ritual. However, it was revived in the 20th century as a cultural and tourist celebration.

  3. Current Celebration: Today, it is celebrated every June 24 in Cusco with a grand theatrical representation that attracts thousands of tourists and locals. The celebration includes processions, dances, music, and representations of the Sapa Inca and Inca nobility.

  4. Ceremonies and Locations: The festival begins at the Temple of the Sun (Qorikancha), moves to the Plaza de Armas, and concludes at the fortress of Sacsayhuamán. Rituals include invocations, symbolic offerings, and representations of ancient Inca traditions.

  5. Cultural Significance: Inti Raymi is a vibrant expression of Andean cultural heritage and plays a crucial role in preserving cultural traditions and indigenous identity in the Andean region.

  6. Tourist Attraction: It has become a major tourist attraction in Peru, offering visitors the chance to experience a recreation of an ancient Inca tradition and learn about the history and culture of this civilization.Sacsayhuamán, una imponente joya de la ingeniería prehispánica

 

Inti Raymi Dances

During Inti Raymi, various traditional dances are performed, reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the Inca Empire. These dances are executed both in the initial ceremony at Qorikancha and the main festivities at Sacsayhuamán:

  • Sun worship dances: Focused on paying tribute to Inti.
  • Representations of Inca battles and conquests: Evoking the history and military achievements of the empire.
  • Agricultural dances: Symbolizing the importance of agriculture and the fertility of the land.
  • Ceremonial dances: Performed by actors dressed as the Sapa Inca and the Inca nobility.

 

What happens at Inti Raymi?

At Inti Raymi, several activities take place to commemorate Inca traditions:

  • Religious Ceremonies: Begin at Qorikancha (Temple of the Sun) with rituals honoring the sun god Inti.
  • Processions: Move from Qorikancha to the Plaza de Armas and then to Sacsayhuamán.
  • Theatrical Representations: Include the simulation of sacrifices and offerings to the sun, with actors dressed as the Sapa Inca and Inca nobility.
  • Traditional Dances: Performances reflect aspects of Inca culture and history.
  • Music and Songs: Accompany ceremonies and dances.

 

How long does Inti Raymi last?

The Inti Raymi festival, as celebrated today, takes place on June 24 each year and generally lasts throughout the day.

Activities begin early in the morning and continue until late afternoon, concluding with the most important ceremonies at the fortress of Sacsayhuamán. Although historically, during the Inca Empire, Inti Raymi could last up to nine days, contemporary celebrations are condensed into a single day.

 

What is eaten at Inti Raymi?

During Inti Raymi, food plays a significant role, reflecting the rich culinary tradition of the Andes. While specific details of the food may vary, it is common to serve traditional Peruvian dishes that could include:

  • Chiriuchu: A cold dish combining ingredients like chicken, charqui (dried meat), corn, cheese, and more.
  • Cuy: A traditional Andean dish made with roasted guinea pig.
  • Corn and potatoes: Basic ingredients in Andean cuisine, often served in various forms.

These foods not only contribute to the celebration but also represent the importance of agriculture and harvest in Inca culture.

 

Fun Fact

Just before the pandemic in 2020, preparations were underway for an environmentally friendly Inti Raymi celebration, urging awareness of attendees and organizers about unnecessary waste production. Therefore, the use of single-use plastics and materials like styrofoam was prohibited at the Festival of the Sun. The printing of graphic material was significantly reduced, and plans were made to use recycled and recyclable materials for programs printed in Quechua, Spanish, and English.

Inti Raymi in 2022 returned with all the excitement and enthusiasm of a people eager to share their customs and beliefs with their community and the world. Ticket sales for this marvelous reenactment of Inca customs and traditions began in May of this year, where the ruler of the Tahuantinsuyo Empire is carried on a litter by his royal retinue, along with his Coya and a group of nobles and warriors, as it happened in ancient times.

 

Come to Cusco for the Inti Raymi festival and let the colors, sounds, and flavors of the Andean people with the most history and mystery envelop you and transport you to the past of a culture that is still alive in the hearts of its people, carrying its identity in every dance, dish, traditional costume, and in every stone of its buildings.

Machu Picchu - Wikipedia

 

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