Inti Raymi

For other uses, see Intiraymi (disambiguation).
Inti Raymi
Modern Inti Raymi at Sacsayhuamán, Peru
Official nameInti Raymi
Also calledFestival of the Sun, Sun Festival
Observed byIndigenous communities of Peru and Ecuador
TypeCultural, Religious
Significance
  • In honor of the Apu Inti or Sun God
  • Beginning of a new Inca year
CelebrationsReenactment of Inca rituals, feasting, music, dance
Date
FrequencyAnnual
Related toInca religion, Winter solstice
Inti Raymi, Cusco, Huacaypata, 2005
Celebration of Inti Raymi by the Salasaca, in the background the Chimborazo can be seen

The Inti Raymi (Quechua for "Inti festival")[1] is a traditional religious ceremony of the Inca Empire in honor of the god Inti (Quechua for "sun"), the most venerated deity in Inca religion. It was the celebration of the winter solstice^ – the shortest day of the year in terms of the time between sunrise and sunset – and the Inca New Year, when the hours of light would begin to lengthen again. Celebrated on June 24, the Inti Raymi was the most important festival of the Inca Empire, as described by Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, and took place in the Haukaypata, the main square of Cusco.[2]

Today, the festival is recognized as the second-largest festival in South America and the most important and well-attended celebration of the year in Cusco, attracting thousands of visitors from across Peru and around the world.[3]

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference laime was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ Staff Writer. "Inti Raymi, The Celebration of the Sun | Discover Peru". Retrieved 2020-07-28.
  3. ^ Peru Brand. "Inti Raymi: The Timeless Festival of the Sun". Peru Brand (in Spanish). Retrieved 2024-08-03.