The Religious Beliefs of the Incas
- 1 The Gods The most powerful god of the Inca religion was Viracocha. He was considered the creator of the universe. ...
- 2 Ancestor Worship The expansion of the Incan empire beginning with Pachacuti's rule may be the result of the Incan leader's greater emphasis on ancestor worship. ...
- 3 Huaca ...
- 4 The Afterlife ...
What ceremonies or religious practices did the Incas have?
Their main deity, however, was the sun god, Inti. The Incas believed the gods had to be kept happy through worship. They held many religious festivals throughout the year, and these involved music, dancing, food, and human sacrifices. The Incas also mummified their dead, since they believed their ancestors continued to watch over the living.
What gods did the Incas believe in?
What were the main gods of the Incas?
- Inti – Inti was the most important of the gods to the Inca.
- Mama Quilla – Mama Quilla was the goddess of the Moon.
- Pachamama – Pachamama was the goddess of Earth or “Mother Earth”.
- Viracocha – Viracocha was the first god who created the Earth, the sky, the other gods, and humans.
What were some of the Incas' religious practices?
- The Incas were smitten by the beauty of deformed skull. Whenever a child was born, they would tightly wrap the child’s head with bandages, creating pressure points on the different ...
- Incas practiced a custom of making holes in the skulls of living people for healing deep wounds and other ailments of the head.
- Incas practiced cannibalism. ...
What is true about the religion of the Incas?
They believed that their ruler, the Inca Sapa, was part god himself. The Inca believed that their gods occupied three different realms: 1) the sky or Hanan Pacha, 2) the inner earth or Uku Pacha, and 3) the outer earth or Cay pacha. Inti - Inti was the most important of the gods to the Inca. He was the god of the sun.
What were the beliefs of the Incas?
The long-standing worship of the Sun, Moon, stars and planets among st ancient Andean communities were other beliefs perpetuated by the Incas. Shamans too, with their feared ability to cast spells and particular skill at divination by reading unfathomable signs in fires, llama's intestines and such like, remained important figures in the Inca world. Cuzco was reputed to have 475 of them, the most important being the yacarca, the personal advisor to the king. Yet another millennia-old Andean tradition which the Incas continued was the belief in oracles - the most famous being at Chavin and Pachacamac.
What was the Inca religion?
Definition. For the Incas, as with many other ancient cultures, religion was inseparable from politics, history, and society in general. All facets of community life were closely connected to religious beliefs, from marriages to agriculture, government to burials. It was thought that the gods and the Inca ’s ancestors influenced success ...
What were the Huacas used for?
Huacas could also be places used for astronomical observations. Perhaps the most famous is the 'hitching post of the sun' ( intihuatana) at the highest point of Machu Picchu which was used to symbolically connect the sun to the earth via a special cord on each solstice. The most important sighting post was, though, the usnu - a raised platform in a plaza at Cuzco. This had a stone pillar used for astronomical observations and an adamantine throne for the Inca king to watch religious festivals from. All of these sacred sites - some 328 - were then linked to Cuzco, the centre of the Inca world, by 41 lines known as ceque ( zeq'e) which could be physical trails or sight lines thus creating an imaginary sacred web with Cuzco at its heart.
What did Viracocha do to save the Earth?
Then he sent a great flood to wipe the earth clean, saving only three humans so that they might start the race again. Also at Lake Titicaca, Viracocha then made the Sun, Moon and stars. Next, the god went travelling around disguised as a beggar and known as Kon-Tiki, amongst many other names.
How many lines are there in the Inca world?
All of these sacred sites - some 328 - were then linked to Cuzco, the centre of the Inca world, by 41 lines known as ceque ( zeq'e) which could be physical trails or sight lines thus creating an imaginary sacred web with Cuzco at its heart.
Why were tombs reopened in the Incas?
Older generations ( ayllu) were never forgotten in Inca society and tombs were re-opened at particular times in order for people to make new offerings to the deceased. These took the form of precious goods and food, and sometimes even purpose built channels permitted the pouring of libations into the grave without otherwise disturbing it. Particularly important individuals who had passed away could be represented in the community by statues, especially the founder of the community whose idol was the most precious object in a community. Indeed, the Incas exploited this tradition and often kidnapped the idols of conquered communities, keeping them hostage at Cuzco to ensure the compliance of the vanquished.
What did the Incas believe?
The Incas believed that gods, spirits, and long-dead ancestors could be manifested on earth in the form of natural features such as mountain peaks ( apu ), rivers, springs, caves, rocky outcrops, and even peculiar shaped stones. These places were sometimes modified to accentuate unusual features and were treated as shrines with special power to influence reality. They were known as huacas ( wak'a) and, in the case of stones, were taken for safe-keeping in palaces and tombs, on occasion, even transported on military expeditions. People left offerings at huacas, especially sea shells, textiles, coca, precious goods, clay figurines, and sacrifices were made, most commonly of llamas and guinea pigs.
What is the Inca religion?
The Inca religion was a group of beliefs and rites that were related to a mythological system evolving from pre-Inca times to Inca Empire. Faith in the Tawantinsuyu was manifested in every aspect of his life, work, festivities, ceremonies, etc. The population of the Tawantinsuyu didn't have an abstract concept of God and there was no word ...
Where was the Inca religion located?
The religion was centralized in the capital city of Cusco. Within Cusco, a highly complicated and organized calendar controlled the state religion's festivals and holy days.
Why is the Sun God important to the Incan civilization?
The Sun God represented the institutional organization of the society because everything in Incan life revolved around the Sun. Virachoa is also known as Apu Qun Tiqsi Wiraqutra and is considered the creator of civilization. He is one of the most if not the most powerful gods in Incan mythology.
How many days did the Inca calendar have?
Inti Raymi, Cusco, Huacaypata, 2005. The Inca calendar had 12 months of 30 days, with each month having its own festival, and a five-day feast at the end, before the new year began. The Incan year started in December, and began with Qhapaq Raymi, the magnificent festival. Gregorian month. Inca month.
What is the origin of the Incas?
Inca origin and religion draws from many local and ancestral traditions. The official tradition of the Inca Empire was the cult of the Sun, but the Incas allowed locals to worship their existing beings. Many people thought that their founding ancestor arose from an exact spot, a paqarisqa.
What is the sacred site of the Inca Empire?
Sacred sites or things named wak'a were spread around the Inca Empire. In Andean mythology a wak'a was a deific entity which resided in natural objects such as mountains, boulders, streams, battle fields, other meeting places, and any type of place that was connected with past Incan rulers.
What are the two main themes of the Inca mythology?
A theme in Inca mythology is the duality of the Cosmos. The realms were separated into the upper and lower realms, the hanan pacha and the ukhu pacha and urin pacha. Hanan pacha, the upper world, consisted of the deities of the sun, moon, stars, rainbow, and lightning while ukhu pacha and urin pacha were the realms of Pachamama, the earth mother, and the ancestors and heroes of the Inca or other ayllus. Kay pacha, the realm of the outer earth, where humans resided was viewed as an intermediary realm between hanan pacha and ukhu pacha. The realms were represented by the condor (upper world), puma (outer earth) and snake (inner earth).
What is the best known Inca temple?
The ruins of the Temple of Viracocha at San Pedro Cacha (Peru), however, had a ground plan that measured 330 by 87 feet, which indicates that it was designed for use other than the storage of priestly regalia. The Sun Temple in Cuzco is the best-known of the Inca temples.
How did Viracocha disperse humankind?
He made peoples, destroyed them, and re-created them of stone; and when they were re-created, he dispersed humankind in four directions. As a culture hero, he taught people various techniques and skills.
How did the llama's lungs get inflated?
Divination by studying the lungs of a sacrificed white llama was considered to be efficacious. The lungs were inflated by blowing into the dissected trachea (there is an Inca ceramic showing this), and the future was foretold by priests who minutely observed the conformance of the veins.
How did fire help the spirits?
Fire also was believed to provide spiritual contact. The flames were blown to red heat through metal tubes, after which a practitioner ( yacarca) who had narcotized himself by chewing coca leaves summoned the spirits with fiery conjuration to speak—“which they did,” wrote a chronicler, by “ventriloquism.” Divination by studying the lungs of a sacrificed white llama was considered to be efficacious. The lungs were inflated by blowing into the dissected trachea (there is an Inca ceramic showing this), and the future was foretold by priests who minutely observed the conformance of the veins. On the reading of this augury, political or military action was taken.
Where did Viracocha go?
He journeyed widely until he came to the shores of Manta (E cuador), where he set off into the Pacific—some say in a boat made of his cloak, others say he walked on the water. This part of the myth has been seized upon by modern mythmakers, and, as Kon-Tiki, Viracocha was said to have brought Inca culture to Polynesia.
How big was the Sun Temple in Cuzco?
The Sun Temple in Cuzco, built with stones “all matched and joined,” had a circumference of more than 1,200 feet. A fragment of the wall still extant is testimony to the accuracy of the chronicler’s description. Within the temple was an image of the sun “of great size,” and in another precinct, the Golden Enclosure (Corincancha), were gold models of cornstalks, llamas, and lumps of earth. Portions of the land, which supported the temples, the priests, and the Chosen Women, were allotted to the sun and administered for the priests.
Why were children feasted before being sacrificed?
Children, before being sacrificed, were feasted “so that they would not enter the presence of the gods hungry and crying.”. It was important in human sacrifice that the sacrificed person be without blemish. Many were chosen from the conquered provinces as part of regular taxation; “blood money” was scarcely a metaphor.
What was the Incan religion?
The Incan religion frequently involved human sacrifice while attributing sacredness to a rock formation. Their religion also emphasized ancestor worship. At its basis, Incan religious beliefs were intimately connected with nature and included the belief that Inca rulers were direct descendants of the sun god, Inti.
What did the Incas believe about the afterlife?
The Incas believed that in the afterlife, a member of the Incan royalty returned to a happy life with the sun, even if he had not been a moral man on earth. A common man could share in this same afterlife of warmth and content if he led a virtuous earthly life.
Why did the Incan Empire expand?
The expansion of the Incan empire beginning with Pachacuti's rule may be the result of the Incan leader's greater emphasis on ancestor worship. Pacachuti ruled that descendants of Incan rulers would inherit their father's earthly powers, but the father's possessions would be used to continue glorifying the father by paying homage to and maintaining his mummy, and by recognizing his continued influence. The ruler's son, or successor, would be responsible for making his own conquests and expanding the empire's wealth.
What was the rule of the Incas?
For the Incas, a virtuous earthly life was achieved by following a simple rule of behavior: "Do not steal; do not lie; do not be lazy.".
Who is the most important servant of the Incas?
He was considered the creator of the universe. However, the Inca are more closely associated with Viracocha's most important servant god, Inti, the sun god. The Inca leader, Pachacuti, proclaimed Inti the patron god of the Incas' sacred city, Cuzco, and erected a magnificent Temple of The Sun in the god's honor.
Why were mountaintops considered Huaca?
These huaca, because they were visible from great distances, helped maintain unity in the vast Incan empire by reminding the citizenry of their shared beliefs.
Why was the Inca religion important?
Because of that, Inca religion was an effective way to spread the belief that the Sapa Inca was superior to his many subjects and had a divine right to rule them. When the leader of the government is a religious figure, that is called a theocracy.
What did the Incas do?
As you learned in your last lesson on Inca Daily Life, the Inca people worked hard. Life for the Inca people, however, was not all work. Just as with other ancient peoples you've studied, the Inca were polytheistic. That means that they believed in and worshiped many, many gods and goddesses. One important part of their religious worship was their many religious festivals. Some festivals continued for days. At the major festivals, there was singing, drinking, dancing, and eating. The Incas were deeply religious. The joy they experienced at festival time was not just a relief from their daily work, it was part of their religion.
What were the inca mummies used for?
Tombs were also re-opened from time to time so that people could make new offerings to the deceased. These took the form of precious goods and food. Upon reaching the Pacarina, the mummies would be able to mingle with the ancient ancestors that were also buried there. The mummies were used in many rituals and celebrations and were buried in a sitting position.
What were the Incas' celebrations?
Games, songs, dancing, food, parades, and sacrifice (usually of animals) were all part of the festivities. If something special was happening, like the crowning of a new emperor or a drought, the Incas would include human sacrifice as part of the festival. An Inca sacrificial knife.
What were the items left with the sacrificed children?
Items to be used in the afterlife were left with the sacrificed children. Rituals. Cannibalism: Cannibalism is the act of one human eating another. The Inca did practice cannibalism, but their cannibalism was always related to religion, to ritual, and to sacrifice.
What was the significance of the statues in Cuzco?
A statue of the founder of the community was often the most precious object in a community. Inca leaders sometimes exploited this tradition and "kidnapped" the idols of conquered communities. It was believed that keeping the idols hostage at Cuzco would help ensure the obedience of the vanquished.
What is a Huaca?
A huaca could be man-made, like a large building or a tiny statue that fit in the palm of your hand. Every family said daily prayers to little family huacas. A huaca could also be natural such as a rock, a cave, a waterfall, a mountain, or even a dead body. The Inca believed some places had magical powers.
What religion was practiced in the Inca Empire?
Since the Sapa Inca was a god, religion and government were in many ways intertwined. In the heterogeneous Inca Empire, polytheistic religions were practiced. Some deities, such as Inti, Pachamama and Viracocha, were known throughout the empire, while others were localised.
What were the Incas' beliefs?
The Incas were a very religious people ; their religious beliefs were deeply embedded in their lives, everything they did had a religious meaning. They were tolerant of the beliefs of the people they conquered as long as they venerated Inca deities above all their gods, they even incorporated gods from other cultures.
What was the name of the temple dedicated to Inti?
The temple dedicated to Inti was the Coricancha (a.k.a. The Golden Enclosure), which was one of the most important temples for the Inca people. Inside Coricancha was a miniature field of corn and the corn was made out of gold. Annually, the emperor would “farm” this as a tradition.
Why was the Inca religion important?
The Inca religion was also an important tool for the ruling elite to legitimize both their own privileged position within Inca society and to spread the general belief of Inca superiority over the subjects of their vast Empire.
What are the names of the Inca gods?
Deities of the Official Pantheon. The Inca religion centered on a pantheon of gods that included Inti; a creator god named Viracocha; and Apu Illapu, the rain god. Viracocha depicted in the wall as a man.
Who was the first Inca god?
Viracocha did not start out as the top deity in Inca religion, Inti was the first original and most powerful god. The transition from Inti to Virachocha has a couple of theories including: 1. The Inca society and people developed intellectually and started to question Inti ’s power.
Where was the Inca religion located?
The religion was centralized in the capital city of Cusco. Within Cusco, a highly complicated and organized calendar controlled the state religion’s festivals and holy days.
How many people lived in the Inca Empire?
Known as Tawantinsuyu, the Inca state spanned the distance of northern Ecuador to central Chile and consisted of 12 million inhabitants from more than 100 different ethnic groups at its peak. Well-devised agricultural and roadway systems, along with a centralized religion and language, helped maintain a cohesive state.
What did Pachacuti Inca do?
Pachacuti Inca Yupanqui also focused his efforts on strengthening Cusco, the center of the empire. He expanded Sacsahuaman, the massive fortress that guarded the city, and embarked on an expansive irrigation project by channeling rivers and creating intricate agricultural terraces.
Which Inca leader pushed the southern border of the empire to the Maule River in modern-day Chile?
Upon ascending to the throne in 1471, Topa Inca Yupanqui pushed the southern border of the empire to the Maule River in modern-day Chile, and instituted a tribute system in which each province provided women to serve as temple maidens or brides for celebrated soldiers. His successor, Huayna Capac, embarked on successful northern campaigns that carried to the Ancasmayo River, the current boundary between Ecuador and Colombia.
What diseases did the Spanish carry?
The Spanish carried such alien diseases as smallpox, which wiped out a huge chunk of the population before killing Huayna Capac and his chosen successor around 1525. That sparked a civil war as would-be emperors battled for power, with Atahualpa eventually outlasting his half-brother, Huascar, to grab the throne.
What was the main language of Quechua?
There was no written language, but a form of Quechua became the primary dialect, and knotted cords known as quipu were used to keep track of historical and accounting records. Most subjects were self-sufficient farmers who tended to corn, potatoes, squash, llamas, alpacas and dogs, and paid taxes through public labor.
Who was the eighth emperor of the Inca Empire?
However, they did not truly become an expansive power until the eighth emperor, Viracocha Inca, took control in the early 15th century. Bolstered by the military capabilities of two uncles, Viracocha Inca defeated the Ayarmaca kingdom to the south and took over the Urubamba Valley.
Who discovered the Inca Empire?
Traces of its existence were mainly found in the ruins of cities and temples, but in 1911 archaeologist Hiram Bingham discovered the intact 15th century mountaintop citadel of Machu Picchu, its magnificent stone structures reflecting the power and capabilities of this massive Pre-Colombian state.
Influences & Local Traditions
Creation of The World
Inti & The Temple of The Sun
Other Gods
Mode of Worship
Huacas & Ceque
- The Incas believed that gods, spirits, and long-dead ancestors could be manifested on earth in the form of natural features such as mountain peaks (apu), rivers, springs, caves, rocky outcrops, and even peculiar shaped stones. These places were sometimes modified to accentuate unusual features and were treated as shrines with special power to influ...
Ancestor Worship & Mummies
The Demise of The Incas
Overview
Divination
The Incas also used divination. Divination was used to inform people in the city of social events, predict battle outcomes, and ask for metaphysical intervention.
Divination was essential before taking any action. Nearly every religious rite was accompanied by sacrifices. These were usually maize beer, food or llamas, but were occasionally of virgins or children.
Deities
Origin
Religious expansion
Duality
Mummification
In Cusco