About Inti Rami

DESCRIPTION:

nti Raymi, often spelled as Inti Rami in English, is a traditional Incan festival that honors Inti, the sun god. Today, Inti Rami occurs in several Andean countries, including Ecuador and Peru.

Historical Background:

Inti Raymi dates back to the time of the Inca Empire. It takes place on the winter solstice when the sun is furthest from the Earth's Southern Hemisphere and honors the god Inti and pleads for his return. In Inca mythology, Inti was considered the ancestral father of the Inca people, so the festival held significant religious importance.

When the Spanish conquistadors arrived, they suppressed Inti Raymi and other indigenous ceremonies as they sought to convert the local population to Christianity. The festival was banned for many years and only survived in some remote communities.

The modern-day revival of Inti Raymi began in the mid-20th century. In 1944, Faustino Espinoza Navarro organized a historical reconstruction of the Inti Raymi in Cusco, Peru. Since then, the festival has grown in popularity and is now a major event attracting thousands of visitors yearly.

Experience of the Festival:

In Peru, the main Inti Raymi event occurs at Sacsayhuamán, an Inca ruin near Cusco. The celebration starts in the morning at Qorikancha, the ancient Inca temple of the sun. The procession then moves to the main square of Cusco before ending at the large, open amphitheater of Sacsayhuamán.

Theatrical performances and reenactments of traditional Inca ceremonies highlight the festival. These include an Inca ritual of the sun, offerings to Pachamama (Mother Earth), the coca leaf ceremony, and the ceremonial lighting of the fire. The performance ends with a procession back to Cusco.

The participants, dressed in traditional Inca costumes, create a vibrant and captivating spectacle. The combination of the setting, the ceremony, and the feeling of being connected to a tradition thousands of years old form a unique and moving experience for spectators.

In Ecuador, Inti Raymi is often combined with the Catholic celebration of Corpus Christi, reflecting the blending of indigenous and Catholic traditions. The celebrations last several days and involve music, dancing, and feasting. In certain communities, men fight ritualistically (Tinku) to ensure a good harvest.

Visitors to either Peru or Ecuador during the time of Inti Raymi will find themselves immersed in a cultural experience that blends history, tradition, and spirituality. The festival provides a glimpse into the rich cultural heritage of the Andean peoples and their enduring connection to the natural world.