Andean/Incan People :: essays research papers

The Andean/Incan peopleThe Andean/Incan people lived in the vast majority of the Andean Mountain ranges of Peru. They were principally polytheistic and believed it was a series of gods who were responsible for providing the rain, maize, sun, etc. that was needed for periodical survival.Viracocha was the main and greatest god. He was held solely responsible for the creation of Earth, animals and man. He make men out of stone, replicated them and destroyed them according to his whim. Viracocha was considered he divine protector of the Incan rulers or Incanis.Inti, the Sun god was the head of the state rage whose worship was mandatory. Every year a special festival called Inti-Raymi was held in Intis and the suns honor. Animal sacrifices and ritual dances marked and were often the highlight of the celebration.Daily prayers were communicate to Apu Illapu, the rain giver, who was responsible for sustaining the Incans food sources. His temples were set high on a mountain so in case th ere was a flood, the temple would not be destroyed. A flood signified Apu Illapus anger and meant a pilgrimage with human sacrifice was necessary to stay put him. Human sacrifice was not widely pr constituteices in the Incan devotion as opposed to the Aztec religion where human sacrifices were the norm. Both the Incan and the Aztec believed that human sacrifice was a necessity to appease the gods. They felt there was no greater gift than giving your life to a god. Therefore, the sacrificial person as well as the god was honored. Festivals and daily prayers were often marked with dancing, singing and special prayers to the particular god of what they desired. Both fasting and feasting marked super special festivals. Penitential rituals must be observed if a particular god is displeased. Murder as an act of war was not a punishable offense whereas murder as an act of vengeance was the gravest sin to be committed. Birth, puberty, marriage and death were all times for special rituals and sacrifices. Therefore, the Andean peoples lives mainly revolved around their religion as, without the gods, they would have nothing. The SpaniardsThe Spanish conquerors and missionaries arrived upon the New World around 1492 but it took a few years for them to get acclimated to the people and area before they started the conversion of the natives. The Spaniards were check Christians and mainly Catholics, under the rule of the Spanish Catholic monarchy.