The Sun, the main God of the Inca Civilization was considered to be the creator of all that exists.

It presided over the

destinies
of
man
and
the
universe.
The most luxurious celebration to be performed in Cusco was thus dedicated to the king star of the Incas. The Sun
was to be adored and offered sacrifices so as to avoid that during its lengthy journey through sky and space, it should
leave the Earth and its children, and ensure its return offering heat and joy.
El Sol, el dios principal de la civilizacin Inca era considerado como el creador de todo lo que existe. Presida los
destinos
del
hombre
y
del
universo.
La fiesta ms fastuosa que se realizaba en Cusco, se dedic a la estrella rey de los incas. El sol iba a ser adorado y
ofrecan sacrificios a fin de evitar que durante su largo viaje por el cielo y el espacio, se debe dejar la Tierra y sus
hijos, y asegurar su retorno y el calor que ofrecen alegra.

Object
of
the
celebration
of
the
Sun
Several reasons compelled the Inca civilization to make sacrifices and offerings to their king star the sun. One of them
was that the Inca, as well as Cusquean nobility, were considered to be natural children of the Sun. To him they owed
their existence, for which recognition was due with sacrifices and offerings. On the other hand, if the corn harvest was
good in the last agricultural year, it was necessary to be thankful, and if the harvest was poor, it was necessary to
request that it be compensated with a better one the following year. Finally, in June (winter solstice) as the Sun moved
away and temperatures dropped, at dawns water froze, therefore it was necessary to request that the Sun return, that
after
twilight
it
should
not
continue
advancing
towards
the
north.

Objeto
de
la
celebracin
del
Sol
Varias razones obligaron a la civilizacin inca para hacer sacrificios y ofrendas a su astro rey el sol. Uno de ellos fue
que el Inca, as como la nobleza cusquea, eran considerados hijos naturales del sol. A l deban su existencia, cuyo
reconocimiento se debi con sacrificios y ofrendas. Por otra parte, si la cosecha de maz fue buena en el ltimo ao
agrcola, haba que estar agradecido, y si la cosecha fue mala, haba que pedir que se le compensa con una mejor
del ao siguiente. Por ltimo, en junio (solsticio de invierno) como el sol se alej y las temperaturas bajaban, a
amaneceres agua se congel, por lo que fue necesario solicitar que el regreso Sol, que despus de crepsculo no
debe
seguir
avanzando
hacia
el
norte.
Finally, it was necessary to attest to the Sun, the eternal and total gift of his children, with submission and respect.
Por ltimo, era necesario para dar fe de el Sol, el don eterno y total de sus hijos, con sumisin y respeto.
Place
where
the
celebration
was
made
in
the
Inkanato
In Inca society the Celebration of the Sun or INTI RAYMI in quechua, was performed twice a year, at the winter
solstice (June 21st) and the summer solstice (December 22nd), although the June event had greater meaning. Each
celebration in Cusco was performed successively in two locations: 1/ the great square, the greatest of the whole
empire, whose area corresponds to the space occupied today by Cuzcos Plaza de Armas, the main square, the
Regocijo Square, the Merced Square, and three blocks of buildings. 2/ The present Santo Domingo Square (Intipampa or plain of the Sun) and the interiors of the church that was once the Temple of the Sun, within the ample
complex
of
temples
or
chapels
that
was
called
Qorikancha.

Lugar
donde
la
celebracin
se
present
en
el
Inkanato
En la sociedad incaica la Celebracin del Sol o Inti Raymi en quechua, se llev a cabo dos veces al ao, en el
solsticio de invierno (21 de junio) y el solsticio de verano (22 de diciembre), aunque el evento de junio tuvieron un
mayor significado. Cada celebracin en Cusco se llev a cabo sucesivamente en dos lugares: 1 / la gran plaza, la
ms grande de todo el imperio, cuya rea corresponde al espacio que hoy ocupa el Cuzco Plaza de Armas, la plaza
principal, la Plaza Regocijo, la Plaza de la Merced, y tres bloques de edificios. 2 / La actual Plaza de Santo Domingo
(Inti-pampa o llano del Sol) y los interiores de la iglesia que fue el Templo del Sol, en el amplio complejo de templos o
capillas
que
se
llamaba
Qorikancha.

The retinue, in correct hierarchical order, of course including the Inca, at a given moment went from the Great Square
to the Qorikancha, and after the liturgy returned to the Great Square. The ceremony began before dawn. Headed by
the Inca, the nobility of blood, the cusquean nobility, located themselves in the part of the Square called Waqaypata
or Place of the Weeping, also denominated Aucaypata or Haucaypata, or Warriors Place. The numerous provincial
nobility
located
themselves
in
another
area
called
the
Place
of
Rejoice
or
Kusiypata.

La comitiva, en orden jerrquico correcto, por supuesto incluida la Inca, en un momento dado pas de la Plaza Mayor
a la Qorikancha, y despus de la liturgia regres a la Plaza Grande. La ceremonia comenz antes del amanecer.
Dirigida por el Inca, la nobleza de sangre, la nobleza cusquea, ubicada s mismos en la parte de la llamada Plaza de
Waqaypata o Lugar del que llora, o tambin denominado Aucaypata Haucaypata, o Guerreros 'Place. La nobleza
provincial numerosas se encuentra en otra rea llamada el Lugar de Algrate o Kusiypata.

The
present
staging
Not being possible now to recreate the Inti Raymi ceremony in the original Inca locations for obvious reasons, it has
been thought appropriate to perform the celebration in the great archaeological complex called Sacsayhuamn, that
lies to the north of the main square, next to the city. From the Main Square to Sacsayhuamn, the distance by road is
no greater than three kilometres.
La
puesta
en
escena
actual
Al no ser posible ahora para recrear la ceremonia de Inti Raymi en el original lugares Inca por razones obvias, se ha
considerado adecuada para realizar la celebracin en el gran complejo arqueolgico de Sacsayhuamn llama, que se
extiende al norte de la plaza principal, junto a la ciudad . Desde la plaza principal de Sacsayhuamn, la distancia por
carretera
no
es
mayor
de
tres
kilmetros.
In the Incas time all the assistants to the great ceremony were participants, performing the ritual with total sincerity
and religious devotion. None were spectators, or employed actors. They were believers who very devotedly concurred
with a faith that reached its paroxysm. During most of the ceremony they were barefoot, like an expression of supreme
respect, a custom that continues in the natives. At a given moment they cried while singing, according to their
idiosyncrasy, which in quechua is called waqay-taki.
Con el tiempo el Inca todos los asistentes a la gran ceremonia participaron, realizando el ritual con total sinceridad y
devocin religiosa. Ninguno fue espectadores o actores empleados. Eran creyentes que devotamente muy de
acuerdo con una fe que lleg a su paroxismo. Durante la mayor parte de la ceremonia estaban descalzos, como una
expresin de respeto supremo, una costumbre que contina en los nativos. En un momento dado, exclam mientras
cantaba, de acuerdo con su idiosincrasia, que en quechua se llama waqay-taki.

From: Edith Vasquez

Sent: 10 August
Subject: Inti Raymi festival
Hi Sam,
Thanks for your email. I was really pleased to hear that you would like to know about the festivals in Peru. The most
luxurious and interesting one near here is called the Celebration of the Sun or INTI RAYMI in quechua which is
performed twice a year, in June 24th and December 22nd in Cusco.
This festival is a reconstruction about a religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the god Inti. The
festival is performed in the Main Square to Sacsayhuamn near to Cusco. During this festival the inhabitants of

Cusco and tourists enjoy watching the traditional event with colourful dances, music. Before
the performance in saccsayhuaman people take part in colourful and magic processions
wearing traditional cloths.
I think the Inti Raymi festival is a wonderful opportunity for you to learn more about the
costumes in Peru. Why dont you come and stay at my house either in June on December,
whichever you preffer? Life here is very relaxing and the people are friendly. Youll be
comfortable.
Ill be free to show you the festival because it happens during my holidays. If you like we could
go to visit Machupicchu. Do write and tell me what you decide.
I am looking forward to seeing you.
Edith.