Cusco’s largest festival of the year takes place every June 24th, the date of the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. On this day, locals and visitors alike celebrate the Inca Festival of the Sun, known as “Inti Raymi” in the Quechua Language. First instituted by the Inca Pachacuti as a feast for the sun god Inti, this celebration continues to the present day and draws thousands of tourists to Cusco every year. Inti Raymi is an extraordinary spectacle straight out of Incan times, inviting observers to step out of the present and into Peru’s glorious past. Should your trip to Cusco coincide with the Inti Raymi ceremonies, you’ll have the good fortune to experience Peruvian culture and history in an especially immersive and entertaining way. Read on to find out more about Inti Raymi, the Inca Festival of the Sun.
History of Inti Raymi
According to the chronicler Inca Garciloso de la Vega, Inti Raymi was considered the greatest and most important of the major festivals held in Cuzco during the reign of the Inca Empire. Every year, thousands of people would gather in the capital for the feast, traveling from every corner of Tawantinsuyu to attend. Taking place on the day of the year when the sun is farthest from Earth, the entire festival was meant to serve as an enormous prayer imploring its return.
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For the three days leading up to the festival, the Sapa Inca (Emperor) and his inner circle would take part in a ritual fast in order to purify themselves. In the early hours of the fourth day, this royal retinue would gather in the Haukaypata (the Inca name for Cuzco’s central square) and wait for the dawn. At the first sight of the sun, the group would begin the day’s rituals by crouching down and blowing kisses as a sign of respect. Two glasses of chicha were then raised, one given as an offering to the sun, the other shared by the Sapa Inca and the rest of his royal company. At this point, the ceremony would move to the Koricancha (Sun Temple) where hundreds of llamas and sometimes children were sacrificed.
In Garciloso de la Vega’s account, the Inti Raymi festival demarcated the beginning of the new year for Andean peoples. Celebrations lasted for nine days in total, with colorful costumes, sacred dances and ritual processions taking over the streets. The final observance of Inti Raymi under the Inca Emperor took place in 1535, after which the tradition was banned by the Catholic priests installed after the invasion of the Spanish conquistadors.
Today’s Celebrations
The Inti Raymi Festival was revived in 1944 by a local man named Faustino Espinoza Navarro, who sought to restore ancient traditions as a source of identity and pride for Quechua peoples. The program was based on the descriptions of the festival found in Inca Garcilaso de la Vega’s chronicles. Though some portions have been modified for the sake of convenience and to respect modern sensibilities, the modern version of Inti Raymi contains enough elements of the original to remain true to its spirit.
Ceremonies begin at the Korikancha (Sun Temple) where delegates from each of the four corners of the Inca Empire (known as suyos) gather and offer praise to the sun god Inti. This contemporary version of the Inca royal retinue then proceeds to the Plaza de Armas (main square) where a ritual coca leaf reading is performed to divine the empire’s fortunes for the next year.
Performers and spectators then move to the Inca fortress of Sacsayhuamán for the main portion of the event. The site’s mysterious stone monoliths and its panoramic view overlooking the city of Cusco provide a compelling backdrop for the climax of the ceremony: the sacrifice of a llama (nowadays done only symbolically). The festival then concludes with traditional dancing and performances of Andean music.
Where to Watch
For the portions of the ceremony taking place at Korikancha there is no ticketed seating available, only standing room. It’s common for locals to begin camping out before dawn in order to reserve a good spot for the show. For the portions of the ceremony taking place at the Plaza de Armas, there is likewise only standing room available. Here it’s possible to watch from a balcony at one of the many bars, cafes and discos lining the square, but you’ll want to arrange this ahead of time with the owner or management of the establishment in order to make sure your spot is saved.
The main and final portion of the ceremony taking place at Sacsayhuamán offers a few types of seating for different budgets. Many people who cannot afford the prices of seating inside the archaeological site take advantage of the surrounding hills which are open to the public on Inti Raymi and offer a decent view of the ceremony from afar. On the actual grounds of Sacsayhuamán, there are different pricing tiers available depending on how close you’d like to be.
Experience Peruvian Culture
The Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun is a very special yearly event that demonstrates how Peru’s Inca past is still, in many ways, alive in the present day. A visit to Cusco for this special event provides a unique cultural experience to the traveler, as well as a perfect way to learn about Inca history in a lively and interesting way. Those planning to visit Machu Picchu will find that attending the Inti Raymi ceremonies is the perfect complement to exploring the famed Inca ruins. Arrange your perfect bespoke itinerary with a knowledgeable guide to ensure you create a plan that’s just right for you.
The Land of the Incas is home to countless marvels both ancient and modern which will capture the imagination of any traveler. Whatever your interests or passions, you’re sure to be enchanted by the culture and history of this magical country. To experience it for yourself, start planning your once-in-a-lifetime trip to Peru today.
Header Image: Modified from Flickr / Hannes Rada
First Blog Image: Modified from Flickr / Howard Flowers
Second Blog Image: Modified from Flickr / Hannes Rada
Third Blog Image: Modified from Flickr / Hannes Rada
