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{{Short description|Incan religious festival}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2023}}
{{other uses|Intiraymi (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox holiday
| holiday_name   = Inti Raymi
| official_name  = Inti Raymi
| image          = Inti Raymi.jpg
| image_size     = 250px
| caption  = '''Modern Inti Raymi''' at [[Sacsayhuamán]], [[Peru]]
| type           = Cultural
| observedby    = Indigenous communities of [[Peru]] and [[Ecuador]]
| date           = {{plainlist|
* June 21 (in [[Argentina]])
* June 22 (in [[Ecuador]])
* June 24 (in [[Peru]])}}
| significance   = {{plainlist|
* In honor of the ''Apu'' [[Inti]] or Sun God
* Beginning of a new Inca year}}
| nickname       = Festival of the Sun, Sun Festival
| frequency      = Annual
| relatedto      = [[Inca religion]], [[Winter solstice]]
| celebrations   = Reenactment of Inca rituals, feasting, music, dance
}}

The '''Inti Raymi''' ([[Quechua language|Quechua]] for "Inti festival")<ref name=laime/> is a traditional religious ceremony of the [[Inca Empire]] in honor of the god [[Inti]] (Quechua for "sun"), the most venerated deity in [[Religion in the Inca Empire|Inca religion]]. It was the celebration of the [[winter solstice]]{{efn|In territories south of the equator, the Gregorian months of June and July are winter months.}} – the shortest day of the year in terms of the time between sunrise and sunset – and the [[Inca]] New Year, when the hours of light would begin to lengthen again. Celebrated on June 24, the '''Inti Raymi''' was the most important festival of the [[Inca Empire]], as described by [[Inca Garcilaso de la Vega]], and took place in the [[Haukaypata]], the main square of [[Cusco]].<ref>{{Cite web|author=Staff Writer|title=Inti Raymi, The Celebration of the Sun {{!}} Discover Peru|url=http://www.discover-peru.org/inti-raymi/|access-date=2020-07-28|language=en-US}}</ref>

Today, the festival is recognized as the second-largest festival in [[South America]] and the most important and well-attended celebration of the year in Cusco, attracting thousands of visitors from across Peru and around the world.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://peru.info/en-us/tourism/news/3/46/inti-raymi-the-timeless-festival-of-the-sun |title=Inti Raymi: The Timeless Festival of the Sun |access-date=2024-08-03 |website=[[Peru Brand]]|last=Peru Brand|language=es}}</ref>

==History==
[[File:Inti Raymi, fiesta milenaria.webm|thumb|alt=1940s newsreel about the Inti Raymi festival (in Spanish)|1940s newsreel about the Inti Raymi festival (in Spanish)]]
According to chronicler [[Inca Garcilaso de la Vega|Garcilaso de la Vega]], [[Sapa Inca]] [[Pachacuti]] created the Inti Raymi to celebrate the new year in the [[Andes]] of the [[Southern Hemisphere]]. The ceremony was also said to symbolize the mythical origin of the Inca people. It lasted for nine days and was filled with colorful dances and processions, as well as animal sacrifices to thank [[Pachamama]] and to ensure a good harvest season. The first Inti Raymi was in 1412. The last Inti Raymi with the Inca Emperor's presence was carried out in 1535. After this, the [[Spanish conquest of Peru|Spanish]] colonists and their [[Catholic Church|Catholic priests]] banned the ceremony and other Inca religious practices.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2020-07-24|title=The Wonders of Peru's Inti Raymi Festival: A Traveller's Guide|url=https://www.cachilife.com/inti-raymi-peru-festival/|access-date=2020-07-28|website=Cachi Life {{!}} Peru Tours {{!}} Peru Travel Experts|language=en-US|archive-date=2023-03-29|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230329063020/https://www.cachilife.com/inti-raymi-peru-festival/|url-status=dead}}</ref>

[[File:Cuzco Sacsawaman 1966 Inti Raymi celebration June 1966 - Repaired-Enhanced-Colorized.jpg|thumb|Crowd watching the Inti Raymi celebration in June 1966 from the walls of [[Sacsayhuamán]]]]
In 1944, a historical reconstruction of the Inti Raymi was directed by Faustino Espinoza Navarro and indigenous actors. The first reconstruction was based largely on the chronicles of Garcilaso de la Vega and referred only to the religious ceremony. Since 1944, an annual theatrical representation of the Inti Raymi has been taking place at [[Saksaywaman]] on June 24, two kilometers (1.24 miles) from the original site of celebration in central Cusco. It attracts thousands of [[tourists]] and local visitors.

Inti Raymi is still celebrated in indigenous cultures throughout the [[Andes]]. Celebrations involve [[music]], wearing of colorful costumes (most notable the woven ''aya huma'' mask), and the sharing of [[food]]. In many parts of the Andes though, this celebration has also been connected to the western Catholic festivals of Saint [[John the Baptist]] (June 24), which falls a few days after the southern [[winter solstice]] (June 21).  The celebration today begins at Qorikancha, followed by the Plaza de Armas, and other important sites of the Incan times.

==Modern day re-enactment==
[[File:Inti Raymi2.jpg|thumb|Inti Raymi, Cusco, Huacaypata, 2005]]
The Inti Raymi is traditionally performed in three historical and natural settings commonly used for staging, where over 800 artists don typical garments and engage in diverse presentations, including dances and performances. These events primarily take place at the temple of [[Coricancha|Qorikancha]], the Archaeological Park of [[Sacsayhuamán|Sacsayhuaman]], and the [[Plaza de Armas (Cusco)|Plaza de Armas]] (Main Square) of Cusco.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.peru.travel/en/events/inti-raymi |title=Inti Raymi, 24th June |publisher=Commission for the Promotion of Peruvian Exports and Tourism - PROMPERU}}</ref>
===Qorikancha===
The celebration begins in this temple, historically the primary site for sun worship during the [[Inca Empire|''Tawantinsuyu'']]. The contemporary ceremony unfolds here before the imperial retinue proceeds along Loreto Street or Inti K'ijllu toward the Plaza de Armas.

===Plaza de Armas===
Formerly referred to as Auqaypata or Warrior's Square, this location hosts rituals such as the [[Coca#Coca_use_by_the_Incas|Coca]] Rite and the Meeting of the Times, where the Inca meets the city's [[Provincial Municipality of Cusco|mayor]] and members of the City Council, as well as provincial and national leaders, to exchange the [[Quipu|khipu]] representing the three powers: munay (to want), yachay (to know), and llankay (to work). The royal party arrive there from the temple site on the way to the main ceremonial venue.

===Sacsayhuamán===
Situated approximately one kilometer from [[Colcampata|Qolqanpata]], an Inca neighborhood, this archaeological site serves as the focal point for the central ceremony, which includes:
* Ceremonial sitting.
* Report from the [[Tawantinsuyu|4 Suyos]] (regions) and Offerings: [[Qullasuyu|Qollasuyu]], [[Kuntisuyu]], [[Antisuyu]] and [[Chinchay Suyu|Chinchaysuyu]].
* Rite of the [[Chicha#Significance_in_Inca_society|Chicha]].
* Rite of the Sacred Fire Inka.
* The [[Llama]]'s sacrifice (Andean camelid) and omens.
* Rite of the Sankhu (holy bread).
* Q’ochurikuy (popular worship).
[[File:83 - Cuzco - Juin 2009.jpg|center|thumb|700x700px|The esplanade of [[Sacsayhuaman]] a few minutes before the present-day Inti Raymi celebration]]

==Gallery==
<gallery mode="packed" heights="150">
File:SAISACHUAMAN.RLR.01 600dpi.jpg|nti Raymi Festival in Sacsayhuamán in 1991
File:Inca carried on his throne during the Inti Raymi 2011.jpg|Inca carried on his golden throne during the Inti Raymi, 2011
File:Salasaca inti raymi.jpg|Celebration of Inti Raymi by the [[Salasaca]], in the background the [[Chimborazo]] can be seen
File:View of Inti Raymi ceremony in Cusco, Peru.png|The Inti Raymi in 2021
</gallery>

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name=laime>{{Ref Laime}}</ref>
}}

==External links==
{{Commons and category|qid=Q1165988}}
*[http://www.discover-peru.org/inti-raymi/ The celebration of the Sun]
*[http://www.classzone.com/books/en_espanol_shared/ML1/ML_1_Inti_Raymi/ml_1_inti_raymi.html Inti Raymi - Cultura Interactiva]

{{New Year by Calendar}}
{{Winter solstice}}

[[Category:Culture of Peru]]
[[Category:Festivals in Peru]]
[[Category:Inca mythology]]
[[Category:June observances]]
[[Category:New Year celebrations]]
[[Category:Winter holidays (Southern Hemisphere)]]
[[Category:Winter solstice]]