Inca Religion-The Inca Empire was huge and powerful. They controlled vast sections of South America. Their religion permeated their culture; their religion infused their culture. It tied them to nature and their gods. They believed in many gods. Each god had a special role.
Inca Religion The Main Gods:
The Inca worshiped many gods. Below are some of the key ones:
Anti: The sun god, and the chief god. He was regarded as the descendant of the Inca emperor.
Pachamama: The earth goddess. She was in charge of fertility and harvests!
Viracocha: The creator god. He formed the world, the ocean, and the heavens.
Illapa: God of thunder, rain. He controlled the weather.
Mama Quilla: Goddess of the moon. She was also the guardian of women.
Rituals and Ceremonies Inca Religion:
The Inca does a great many rituals. These rituals were necessary to keep the gods pleased. Below are some of the most commonly practiced ceremonies:
Inti Raymi: Was this The Festival of the Sun. It was held in June. They celebrated and thanked Inti, the sun god.
Capacocha: This was a sacrificial rituals ceremony. They regularly sacrificed children. They thought it would be good luck.
Offerings: People made offerings to the gods every day. Such as food, drink and smaller items.
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Priests Leaders of the Inca Religion:
Priests played a vital role. They did rituals and ceremonies with the gods. They would also interpret signs and omens. The high priest (pharaoh) was a high priest called “High Priest of the Sun”, and he was the most powerful.
Temples and Sacred Sites Inca Religion:
The Inca built many temples. They were sacred sites for worship. Some famous temples include:
Coricancha: The Temple of the Sun of Cusco. It was the most sacred of shrines.
Sacsayhuamán: A massive fortress outside Cusco. It was both a religious and a military pilgrimage site.
Machu Picchu: one of the most famous sacred city in the mountains. It was home to the numerous temples and religious sites.
Beliefs About the Afterlife of Inca Religion:
The Inca did believe in an afterlife. They believed that good people went to a place that is sunny. “Bad people went to a cold, dark place. They buried the dead with belongings for the afterlife. They were food, clothes, and tools.
Summary of Inca and Its Gods The Inca religion was the indigenous religion of the Incas, who worshiped plants, trees, rivers, rocks, and many animals, but specifically the gods that were most important to them in their daily lives.
The Spanish came in the 1500s. They conquered the Inca Empire. They introduced Christianity. Many of the Inca traditions were lost from this point. Traditions of old still exist today. In Peru and in other lands, they remember their ancestors. They honor ancient festivals and rituals.
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Legacy of the Inca Religion:
Its print is indelible in Inca religion. It shapes contemporary culture in myriad ways. People still go to ancient temples. They learn about Inca history and beliefs. The Inca religion reflects and teaches of a past. It explains nature and deities of the world.
F A Q
What Is Inca
They worshipped many gods and nature spirits, the most important of these was the sun god, Inti.
The Main God In Inca Religion?
Inti, the sun god, was the principle god in Inca religion who was also thought to be the ancestor of the Inca kings.
When Did the Incas Practice Their Religion?
Religion formed an integral part of the Inca’s way of life, which they closely intertwined with rituals, sacrifices and ceremonies, many of which included offerings to gods and the elements of nature.
So, What Was The Role Of Temples In Inca Religion?
Inca Gods Inca Temples and Religion Inca religion involved worship, rituals and ceremonies in sacred sites known as temples, which were centers of spiritual and political power.