Children of the Sun
Gods and Goddesses: The Inca worshipped many gods and goddesses.
The Incas worshiped the
gods of nature - the sun god Inti was one of their most powerful
gods. In a farming community, sunshine was an important element.
They also worshiped the god of thunder, moon, rainbows, stars,
planets, and many more. The many mountaintops in the Andes
mountain range were each a god. Like the ancient Greeks, the
Incas believed the gods could intervene to help you or hinder
you.
Festivals: Life was
not all work in the Inca Empire.
Dreams, Omens, Signs:
The Inca believed in omens and signs and the power of dreams.
The Incas believed that
gods as well as their dead ancestors could communicate with them
through dreams, omens, and other signs.
The priests were very
powerful because people believed they could read the signs.
Priests saw signs everywhere. They could read signs in the flames
of a fire, or in the way a plant grew.
Sacrifice: The Inca conducted sacrifices at every festival. But they only sacrificed people if something really huge was going on, like a war or a new Sapa Inca.
Huacas:
The Incas also worshiped huacas - sacred places or objects.
Huacas were everywhere. A huaca could be a large building, or a
tiny statue that fit in the palm of your hand. Every family said
daily prayers to little family huacas. Priests performed daily
ceremonies at the temples, offering prayers to the huacas in
their care.
Afterlife, Ancestor Worship,
Mummies: The Inca people believed in an afterlife. They
mummified their dead.
Priests held ceremonies. Noble families held a funeral for eight
days. Noble women in mourning wore black clothes for about a
year. They also cut their hair really short. The bodies and tombs
of the dead were carefully tended. The mummies of dead rulers
remained in their palaces. These rulers were treated as if they
were still alive. Servants brought them things. Their family
consulted them for advice on daily affairs. On parade days and
other special occasions, their mummies were carried through the
streets.
The Festival of the Sun God: Early each June, the Inca held their most important festival of the year - the festival of the Sun. The people believed the Sun itself was holding this festival. Everyone wore their best and feasted and were joyous. All the nobles came to Cusco. The living Sapa Inca was the host. The Sapa Inca was not only the head of government, he was also a god, a direct descendent of the sun god Inti. This was the festival each year that saved the world and kept the sun happy. The festival lasted nine days, but it was on the fourth day that the Inca did something delightful. On the fourth day, everyone in the empire would stretch out their arms to the sun and make kissing noises, to make sure the sun knew how grateful they were.