Inti Raymi is the second largest festival in South America, only behind Carnival.
Photo: Jerry Alonzo Leon
Every year, hundreds of thousands of revelers make their way to Peru for one of the biggest festivals in all of South America. People from all over the world, from partygoers to culture enthusiasts, head to Cusco to celebrate the world renowned Inti Raymi, an ancient festival that dates back to the time of the mighty Inca Empire.
For nine whole days, leading up to the winter solstice on June 24, the streets of Cusco are filled with live music, street fairs, non-stop dancing and singing, incredible expositions and street parade processions, delicious eats and much more. It’s a centuries-old religious ceremony that involves thousands of actors, all re-enacting the ancient Incan tradition of worshipping the venerated sun god Inti, which culminates in a climatic close at nearby Sacsayhuaman with a (mock) animal sacrifice.
It’s a fascinating event to witness firsthand and unlike anything you’ve ever seen. It’s easy to see why Inti Raymi is the second largest festival in South America, only behind Carnival, of course. Flip through the image gallery and see why this ancient festival is the one you need to hit up!
The festival is a nine-day celebration held each year in Cusco, which culminates on the day of Inti Raymi, held on the winter solstice (June 24), which is also the shortest day of the year. Given the shortened hours of the day, the Incas believed they could appease the wrath of the sun god Inti by fasting days before the event, performing animal sacrifices and presenting gifts to the sun god. Seen in the background is the official flag of Cusco, though scholars still debate whether such a flag was ever associated with the Incas.
Built by the Jesuits in 1571, the Iglesia de La Compañía de Jesús was constructed during the reign of Huayna Cápac, the last Sapa Inca who ruled over an undivided Inca Empire.
Due to increased popularity and interest in indigenous culture, the festival now attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors for this nine-day long celebration, full of live music and food, and leads to Inti Raymi on winter solstice. Even during Inca times, as many as 25,000 would gather in Cusco for the festival.
Pop quiz: What was the population of the Inca Empire at its height? Answer: One. Only the Inca Emperor – better known as Sapa Inca or Quechua for “the only Inca” – could be called Inca. The Incas regarded their ruler as more than mere mortal, but divinely endowed by the sun god Inti.
Some of my favorite (and most delicious) eats in Peru came right here on the streets of Cusco. Don’t forget to try some tasty cuy (pronounced koo-ee), which is fried guinea pig, and wash it down with chicha (Inca beer).
It wasn’t until 1944 that Inti Raymi was officially brought back as a festival, when Faustino Espinoza directed the first theatrical re-enactment of the event. Since then, it’s been held every year, featuring actors from indigenous population to play the roles.
Located in the Plaza de Armas, this statue commemorates Pachacuti, the ninth Sapa Inca, who, in three short generations, used military force to transform their initial hamlet-sized territory into an expansive empire spanning most of the continent’s landmass.
In 1572, after the invasion of Spanish conquistadores, the Spanish forces and Catholic priests officially banned Inti Raymi due to its so-called “pagan” nature. Despite the ban by Viceroy Toledo, the Incas often held secret celebrations for many years without the Spanish knowing about it.
As one of the most important ceremonies in Inca culture, Inti Raymi is dedicated to the sun god Inti, the most venerated deity in Inca religion.
Originally begun in 1412, the first Inti Raymi was a celebration in honor of the sun god Inti, which included lively dances, bountiful feasts, and colorful processions. The religious ceremony was also used to explain the Inca’s etiological origins as a people.
One of the highlights of the festival is the speech delivered by the Inca Emperor played by an actor at Korikancha Square. The entire ceremony is conducted in Quechua, the language of the Incas.
The Inca Emperor and his wife are carried on beautifully adorned gold thrones that can weigh up to 130 pounds. These incredibly heavy thrones require many people to help carry them up the hill to Sacsayhuaman.
After the actor who plays Sapa Inca delivers his speech at Korikancha Square, get ready to run, or at the very least walk very fast, for this next part! Hundreds of thousands of people, all in a hurried frenzy, will rush and push their way to Sacsayhuaman to get a good seat for the show. And if you paid for a seat, there’s no real need to run, so feel free to arrive at your leisure. But, what’s the fun in that?
If you want a great view at Sacsayhuaman, you can book a seat in advance and get a close up view of the ceremony’s big “sacrificial” moment. But, to be honest, there’s no need to book a seat when there are plenty of surrounding areas to sit down for free. By the way, there are plenty of vendors selling water and food throughout the event; but don’t forget to bring a blanket, some foldup chairs and a hat for the hot sun.
At the sacred site of Sacsayhuaman (pronounced like “sexy woman”), located up the hill near the city’s center, up to 200 animal sacrifices were once performed to give thanks to Pachamama (Mother Earth) to ensure a good season of crops and bring about propensity. Today, as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the ceremony at Sacsayhuaman continues but with a mock animal sacrifice instead.
Jerry's favorite country to travel to is Spain. When he's on the road, he keeps it real simple with a pen and a pad. His travel style is spontaneous, easygoing, and always in search of a great adventure.
