The Inca Religion
The Incas believe that there were many gods. Each god is responsible for occupying natural objects, such as lakes, rocks, mountains, etc. As you may tell, nature is very important to them. The important god is Inti, the sun god. The Incas believed that they descended from Inti's influence. Even though Inti is very important to them, Viracocha is the most important for he was the creator god. The Incas perform many spiritual rituals. The purpose of these rituals varies. Most are to insure good harvests or to ensure the loyalty of non-Inca subjects. The subjects are fed cake made of corn and llama blood. The priests chant, "What you have been given is the food of the sun… if you were ever to speak evil of the sun or the Sapa Inca, this would be revealed and you would be punished." The Sapa Inca is believed to be the descendants of Inti, and are treated like living gods. Once they die, they are mummified and preserved. Ancestor worship is very important for them. They pray to their dead ancestors almost every day. Inca religion is very important in the Inca way of life. So When you visit, please be respectful.
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This Sculpture is a Representation of Viracocha |