About 200,000 people enjoy the spectacular staging of the Inti Raymi ceremony celebrated at three different venues in Cusco: Qoricancha Temple, Cusco’s Main Square and Sacsayhuaman Fortress, it was informed.
According to Oscar Alzamora, Director of the Municipal Company of Festivities in Cusco (Emufec), the ceremony brings almost 200,000 people together spread out over the three venues and main streets of downtown Cusco.
Inti Raymi activities started this morning at 9 a.m. at the Qoricancha Temple, where the Inca, whose role is played by Nivardo Carrillo, sang to the Sun God and asked him for prosperity.
Delegations representing each of the four suyos or regions of the Inca Empire, that is, Antisuyo (East), Contisuyo (West), Qollasuyo (South), Chinchaysuyo (North) joined the acting coming from their respective directions.
Stands were set up to house attendees within the perimeter of the Qoricancha’s terrace. The performance lasted almost an hour and then headed to Cusco’s Main Square, located just a block and a half away.
Once in there, Andean seers and priests proceeded to read Cusco’s future in coca leaves and predicted development and prosperity for the people.
Public order and calm was maintained thanks to the support of police officers, firefighters, health care workers, and municipal patrol guards among others.
The Inca is heading to the archaeological park of Sacsayhuaman, where a large number of people have been waiting to see the central ceremony.
The Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun was an Incan ceremony held in the capital of Tahuantinsuyo year after year at the end of the harvest period.
(END) PHS/JCR/MAO/RMB/MVB
Published: 6/24/2015