Under a blue sky and a radiant sun, the Inti Raymi 2023 took place on Saturday 24th afternoon at the Sacsayhuaman Archaeological Park, located about 15 minutes —by car— from the city of Cusco.
The attendees were thrilled as they witnessed the presence of the Inca Pachacuteq, played by actor Robert Paucara Churana, as well as more than 850 participating artists, including the Qoya, who was portrayed by Karen Gonzales Saldivar, and her royal entourage.
The return of the Inti Raymi has seen an amazing response from the public.
The stands placed at Sacsayhuaman held more than 3,000 tourists, while some 20,000 people were spotted in the surrounding areas, including a large number of foreign visitors.
Since 1944, the evocation of the Inca ceremony has gained more relevance and new elements, such as a greater role for women in the celebration of the rites.
Traditional rituals
The Inca sang a song to the Inti (Sun God), his father. Then, he welcomed delegations from the Tahuantinsuyo, or Land of Four Quarters, which provided a summary of their production and their disagreements about climatic factors or punishments, which the Inca Pachacuteq was able to resolve after rejoicing before the Sun God.
Moreover, ancestral rites were performed in order to ask for good wishes from the Inti.
The highest ruler of the Tahuantinsuyo offered chicha de jora, or wilka nina (a corn beer or chicha), to the Sun, as well as a llama sacrifice, whose heart and organs were incinerated to see the future, which was favorable according to the interpretation of his priests.