Inti Raymi
The Incan Festival of the Sun
A Journey Back to the Incan Empire
Inti Raymi, which means "Festival of the Sun" in the Quechua language, is a spectacular traditional festival of the ancient Inca Empire, celebrated in honor of the sun god, Inti. It was the most important of the four great festivals celebrated in Cusco, the historic capital of the Incas. The festival takes place on June 24th, coinciding with the winter solstice in the Southern Hemisphere. This was a crucial time for the agrarian Incan society, as they prayed to the sun god to return and ensure a good harvest for the coming year.
After being banned by the Spanish conquistadors, the festival was revived in the 20th century as a grand theatrical reenactment. Today, it is the second-largest festival in South America, drawing thousands of visitors to Cusco, Peru, to witness this vibrant and powerful connection to a rich, ancient past.