Carrying the Inca Queen Inti Raymi festival Cusco Peru
by James Brunker
Title
Carrying the Inca Queen Inti Raymi festival Cusco Peru
Artist
James Brunker
Medium
Photograph - Photograph
Description
Bearers carry the Inca Queen through the streets of Cusco, Peru during events for the Inti Raymi festival. The festival (which was held in honour of the sun god Inti, the most important Inca deity) is a re-enactment of the Inca celebrations for the New Year / winter solstice (June 21st in the southern hemisphere), a very important date in the calendar of the indigenous people of the Andes. The last festival with an Inca present took place in 1535, after that it was banned by the Spanish conquistadores and the Catholic church. The modern re-enactments started in 1944 and are a major tourist attraction. The Inca Queen was the principal wife of the Inca and known as the Coya or Qoya; she was often a senior sister of the Inca (who usually had lesser wives / concubines as well).
Photograph © James Brunker. Reproduction, transmission or publication in any form without prior written permission strictly prohibited.
Uploaded
June 24th, 2022
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