by Les C

Created on: February 20, 2009   Last Updated: February 27, 2009

In Peru they have a celebration called Inti Raymi or Festival of the Sun. With a name like that you would think it falls during summer months, and it does for those of us that live in the northern hemisphere. For Peruvians it is the exact opposite. The largest and most popular of the Inti Raymi celebrations takes place on June 26th in Cusco. This was the ancient capital of the Incan empire.

Thousands of people unite together in Cuzco from other parts of South America and the world for a week long celebration marking the commencement of a new year. The Inti Raymi, or Festival of the Sun celebrates the winter solstice with ceremonies and festivities designed to bring back the Sun and shorten the longest night.

In ancient Incan tradition Inti Raymi honored the sun as the source of light, heat, and life, and began the start of a new planting season. The name Inti means "sun" and Raymi means festival. Agriculture was of immense importance to the ancient Incans as well as it is for the modern Peruvians. Without a good crop many would go hungry thus the importance of the sun and its warmth.

In the 1500's the Spaniards stopped these celebrations because the Catholic Church considered them pagan. The celebrations are back now and if you are fortunate enough to be in Cuzco during this week in June you should make it a point to see the theatrical presentation of the ancient Incan ceremony. Something else to try is the traditional foods and beverages. Be careful, most are not for weak stomachs. The food can be a little spicy but very very tasty. Watch out for the Maze beer or the traditional Coca tea. The beer is very strong and the teawell it comes from the same plant that cocaine is made from! It is a common drink among the locals, so if you ask for a cup of tea it might have a different affect then what your use to. Overall the Festival of the Sun is a unique and unforgetable celebration of life.

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