Inca Religion
The Incas were the most technologically developed (Machu Picchu) and dominant group in South America in the 1400’s. Similar to the Aztecs, the Incas were culturally and religiously united throughout their entire empire, which is now located in modern-day Peru. The Inca Emperor commanded the kingdom and was supposedly able to speak with the Gods. The Incas believed the Emperor to a demigod himself. In 1532, Spanish colonizers discovered their empire and quickly set out to take control of it. In the same year the Spanish had completely destroyed the Inca Empire (Inca Religion, 1).
The Incas were a polytheistic religion like many other religions, although they paid special attention to certain gods that were more powerful than others. The Inca’s religion consisted of praying to Huacas or sacred objects, ceremonies, and death rituals. The range of objects or places that are classified as Huacas stretches from locations in nature to buildings and artifacts. The Incas also believed that certain women had a special connection to the Gods similar to the Emperor’s powers. These women were called Oracles and were not only part of the Inca’s religion, but they were also a major decision maker of their daily lives. Oracles used a hallucinogen to ‘connect’ themselves with the Gods. They made many decisions that involved illnesses, crime investigations, and the specific type of sacrifices that should be made to the Gods during ceremonies (Inca Religion, 1).
The Incas held religious ceremonies at periodic times during the year, usually every month, in which they heavily worshipped and prayed to the Gods. The Inca’s religious worship consisted of giving offerings and praying to the Huacas. They believed that properly praying and worshipping to the Gods would keep balance to their society and the nature surrounding them. They also believed that if their prayer efforts were inadequate; their crops production would decrease and their civilization would suffer. At times of a new throne to wish good fortune for the incoming ruler or a crisis that is plaguing the Empire, the Incas would perform sacrifices in the name of their Gods. In most situations the Incas would use animal sacrifices to seek good luck or help from the Gods. But, depending of the desperation of the issue, they would occasionally conduct human sacrifices. “Such critical situations were actually considered, most of the time, a result of disobedience to the Taboos and would therefore call for confession of sins. By confessing they would prevent or allay private and public disasters. At the beginning these confessions were done in public, becoming secret after some time” (Inca Religion, 1).
Along with most of the indigenous religions of the 1400’s and 1500’s, the Incas took great care of their dead and they were an important part of their religion. Each Inca citizen that passes away, no matter the circumstance of he or she’s death, is placed inside a tomb. The tombs for the dead are treated with equal religious importance as sacred objects and they are also classified as Huacas. During the times of religious ceremony, each family visits the tombs of their ancestors. The relatives of the deceit ancestors bring food and other items as offering for the dead. The Incas believe that their ancestors can hear them speak in front of the tombs and they also are able to eat and use the gifts they receive. At the time of a funeral, Incas wear black clothing to express the sorrow they feel, which is similar to American culture as well. At the funeral ceremony, a priest will usually talk and say some prayers to the newly dead citizen. Incas believe that priests have an ability to talk to dead spirits who dwell in another dimension. Newly passed away rulers and other social hierarchies are treated with extreme care and religious importance. The Incas believed that some citizens, depending on the amount of merits that achieve in their life, would be granted with a pleasant afterlife once they pass away. It is believed that most rulers and other Incas of a high social class will have an afterlife in a paradise (Inca Religion, 1).
By: Elliot Rosen