The Inti Raymi Festival of the Sun
June 24 every year, Cusco celebrates the festival of Inti Raymi. Inti Raymi is now the second biggest festival in South America after the carnival in Rio. This Festival of the Sun was celebrated by the Incas where the God of the Sun Wiracocha is honored. The Inti Raymi festival symbolizes the eternal consecration of marriage of the Sun and his sons, the human beings.
Inti Raymi being the most important festival of the Incas "Tawantinsuyo", based its religion on the cult of the Sun. On June 24 they celebrate the winter solstice, the beginning of the Sun's New Year. There was a time in Cuzco where the Spanish banned all ceremonies of the Incas. This had been an important ceremony for the farmers who were afraid of lack of sun, bad crops, and famine. They fasted for days before the festival, prepared gifts, and even brought forth sacrifices.
The solstice begins on June 21, but according to the Pacha Unachaq, a sundial used by the Incas, the sun stays some days in the same place before rising on the June 24. This day was proclaimed by the high priest as the New Year: Inti Raymi!
The residents of Cusco happily involve about everybody, including tourists, to participate and enjoy this special day. For a week before and after June 24th there will be events found in this area. The hotels fill up and the whole area will be very busy. There will be expositions, street and square activities in daytime. Evening you can expect live concerts given by Peru's diverse musical talents in the Plaza the Armas Most concerts and expositions are free courtesy of the city of Cusco and Peruvian companies. The festival takes place at the archeological wonder, Sacsayhuaman, the Sacred House of the Sun. Expect over 200 thousand people to come together to witness this beautiful festival where over 500 actors profoundly bring the past alive.
The oration given by the Sapa Inca, the high priest of the Incas, is given in their language, Quechua. Quechua is an ancient language which is still spoken in wide areas in Cusco, the Peruvian highlands of the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu.
Inti Raymi begins in the square in front of the Qorikancha, known as Santa Domingo, the Avenida del Sol. The Sapa Inca honors, with a strong voice, the blessings of the Sun and this sacred day. After the initiation the procession proceeds forward showing imperial dignity reaching the fortress of Sacsayhuaman. On top an Inca is carried upon the golden throne. The mounds of gold and silver worn by the men and women, reveal their status in the high society invoking deep respect for their fallen empire.
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