Royal+(Solemn)+Feast+of+the+Sun

= The Royal (Solemn) Feast of The Sun  =

The word “Raymi” is equal to the english word “Easter.” There were four festivals that were celebrated by the kings in Cuzco, the most intense of the festivals was for the Sun, during June. They called it “Yntip Raymi” which in english “The Solemn Feast of The Sun.” This celebration of the sun was meant to be a demonstration of how Peruvians worshipped the Sun’s light and power, they referred to “him” as their one and only god. They believed that the Sun was the natural father of Ynca Manco Ccapac and his wife Mama Ocllo Huaco, plus all their descendants were “sent” to this Earth to help all people. For all those reasons, they said this was their most solemn feast.

The opening ceremonies were performed by the Ynca himself as High Priest. There was always a High Priest of the blood royal, who was usually the uncle or brother of the Ynca (king). The Ynca usually was the one to preside at this great festival of the sun, as the Sun’s firstborn. The Curacas came in their most fancy and most expensive clothes. Some wore costumes to resemble Hercules; they would wrap themselves in lion skin, with the heads fixed over their own. Other came attired in the fashion of painted angels, with great wings of the bird called Cuntur. The Yuncas came attired in the ugliest, most hideous mask they could find, and they appeared at the feast making all sorts of grimaces, like fools and clowns. They also brought instruments such as poorly made flutes and tambourines, or pieces of their skin to help with their fooleries and pranks. Other Curacas wore various costumes to distinguish themselves. Each different tribe came with the weapons they used in war, some of them were bows and arrows; others included: lances, clubs, javelins, darts, slings, and a variety of axes.

During the night before the festival, the Ynca and the Priest prepared the sheep and lambs for sacrifice, and then got ready the sacrificial food and drinks that were offered to the Sun. All these offerings were brought by the people who came to the feast, not just the Curacas and envoys, but also their company and servants. The women would stay up all night making and preparing the food for the feast, the most important and being bread and pudding.

By: Joanna James