Blog I The Greatest Festival of the Sun-Inti Raymi I Peru Vip Travel

Can you imagine being present at a festival that transcended many years from the time of the Incas to the present day? Hello travelers, today we will talk about a very surprising topic about “The Greatest Festival of the Sun – Inti Raymi”.

Table of Contents

HISTORY OF THE GREAT FEAST

“In Quechua, Inti Raymi means “Festival of the Sun.” It’s celebrated not only in Cusco and Peru but also in Andean communities across Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, and northern Argentina.”

This festival apart from being full of colors, traditional music, beautiful and unique dances in our country, also shows us how our ancestors venerated and had respect to nature through festivals and ceremonies especially to the “SUN” the main god of Inca mythology, that is why we will go back in time and know a little of its history.

Inca Period

Inca Pachacuteq founded Cusco’s festival, celebrated on June 24 during the winter solstice, marking a significant tradition in the Inca capital. Chroniclers agree that this festival was the most important of the empire. Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, a mestizo chronicler, mentions that it lasted up to 15 days, filled with dances and sacrifices. Additionally, chronicler Guaman Poma de Ayala provides a better understanding through his drawings.

Colonial Period

Francisco de Ávila initiated the extirpation of idolatry, compelling indigenous people to abandon their gods during the Spanish colonial era.

The Fifth Viceroy of Peru FRANCISCO DE TOLEDO prohibited any type of celebration towards the Andean deities, since it was against the Catholic faith, but the natives continued celebrating it in secret without the Spaniards noticing, but unfortunately when they were discovered, their gods were destroyed and burned, after this event, the punishments towards the natives were stronger if they did not comply with these restrictions, so the Andeans had to accept the reality and adapt to this new custom.

Nowadays

“Inti Raymi revived in Cusco in 1944 by artist Faustino Espinoza, with variations from the original rite after centuries.”

Thus, on June 24, 1944 the Inti Raymi festival was staged for the first time in the city of Cusco, this celebration was integrated by an entourage, soldiers, acllas, important characters such as the high priest, the nobility and the royal family formed by the Inca, the coya and the auqui (crown prince), was held in the fortress of Sacsayhuaman and had as guest of honor the president of the Republic, MANUEL PRADO UGARTECHE and thus began with the staging of this great festival in the city of Cusco where to this day they continue to do so.