Inca mythology
Inca mythology includes a number of stories and legends that are mythological and helps explain or symbolizes Inca beliefs.
The
Christian priests that followed the
Spanish conquest of Peru by
Francisco Pizarro burned the records of the
Inca culture, which had been kept on knotted cords called
Khipus. (
Khipus Information) There is currently a theory put forward by
Gary Urton that the
Khipus represented a
binary system capable of recording
phonological or
logographic data. All information for what is known is based on what was 1. recorded by priests, 2. from the
iconography on Incan pottery and architecture, 3. and the myths and legends which survived amongst the
native peoples.
Manco Capac was the legendary founder of the Incan Dynasty in Peru and the Cuzco Dynasty at Cuzco. The legends and history surrounding this mythical figure are very jumbled, especially those concerning his rule at Cuzco and his birth/rising. In one legend, he was the son of
Tici Viracocha. In another, he was brought up from the depths of
Lake Titicaca by the sun god
Inti. However, commoners were not allowed to speak the name of Viracocha, which is possibly an explanation for the need for two foundation legends rather than just the first.
There were also several myths about Manco Capac and his coming to power. In one myth,
Manco Capac and his brother
Pachacamac were sons of the sun god
Inti. Manco Capac, himself, was worshiped as a fire and sun god. According to this Inti legend, Manco Capac and his siblings were sent up to the earth by the sun god and emerged from the cave of
Pacaritambo carrying a golden staff called ‘
tapac-yauri'. They were instructed to create a Temple of the Sun in the spot where the staff sank into the earth to honor the sun god Inti, their father. To get to Cuzco, where they built the temple, they traveled via underground caves. During the journey, one of Manco's brothers, and possibly a sister, were turned to stone (
huaca).
In another version of this legend, instead of emerging from a cave in Cuzco, the siblings emerged from the waters of
Lake Titicaca.
In the Tici Virachocha legend, Manco Capac was the son of
Tici Viracocha of
Pacari-Tampu, today known as
Pacaritambo, which is 25 km south of Cuzco. He and his brothers (
Ayar Anca,
Ayar Cachi, and
Ayar Uchu); and sisters (
Mama Ocllo,
Mama Huaco,
Mama Raua, and
Mama Cura) lived near
Cuzco at Paccari-Tampu, and uniting their people and the ten
ayllu they encountered in their travels to conquer the tribes of the Cuzco Valley. This legend also incorporates the golden staff, which is thought to have been given to Manco Capac by his father. Accounts vary, but according to some versions of the legend, the young Manco jealously betrayed his older brothers, killed them, and then became the sole ruler of Cuzco.
Like the
Romans, the Inca permitted the cultures they integrated into their empire to keep their individual religions. Below are some of the various gods worshiped by the peoples of the Incan empire. Many of which have overlapping responsibilities and domains. Unless otherwise noted, it can safely be assumed these were worshipped by different
ayllus or worshipped in particular former states.
Apo was a god of
mountains
Apocatequil (aka
Apotequil) was the god of
lightning.
Ataguchu was a god who assisted in
creation mythCatequil was a god of thunder and lightning
Cavillace was a virgin goddess who ate a fruit, which was actually the sperm of
Coniraya, the moon god. When she gave birth to a son, she demanded that the father step forward. No one did, so she put the baby on the ground and it crawled towards Coniraya. She was ashamed because of Coniraya's low stature among the gods, and ran to the coast of Peru, where she changed herself and her son into rocks.
Chasca was the goddess of
dawn and
twilight, and
Venus. She protected
virgin girls.
Chasca Coyllur was the goddess of flowers and young maidens.
Mama Coca (aka
Cocomama) was a goddess of
health and
joy. She was originally a
promiscuous woman who was cut in half by her many lovers. Her body grew into the first
coca plant, the leaves of which men were only allowed to chew (to bring health and happiness) after having given a woman an
orgasm.
Coniraya was the
deity of the
moon who fashioned his sperm into a fruit, which
Cavillaca then ate. When she gave birth to a son, she demanded that the father step forward. No one did, so she put the baby on the ground and it crawled towards Coniraya. She was ashamed because of Coniraya's low stature among the gods, and ran to the coast of
Peru, where she changed herself and her son into rock
huacas.
Copacati was a lake goddess.
Ekkeko was a god of the
hearth and
wealth. The ancients made
dolls that represented him and placed a miniature version of their desires onto the doll; this was believed to caused the user to receive what he desired.
Illapa ("
thunder and
lightning"; aka
Apu Illapu, Ilyap'a, Katoylla) was a very popular
weather god. His holiday was on
July 25. He was said to keep the
Milky Way in a
jug and use it to create
rain. He appeared as man in shining clothes, carrying a
club and
stones. He was formerly the main god of the
Kingdom of Colla after which the
Collasuyu province of the
Inca empire was named.
Inti was the
sun god. Source of warmth and light and a protector of the people. Inti was considered the most important god. The Inca Emperors were believed to be son's of the sun god.
Kon was the god of
rain and
wind that came from the
south. He was a son of Inti and Mama Quilla.
Mama Allpa was a fertility goddess depicted with multiple
breasts.
Mama Cocha ("sea mother") was the sea and fish goddess, protectress of sailors and fishermen. In one legend she mothered
Inti and Mama Quilla with
Viracocha.
Mama Pacha (aka
Pachamama) was the wife of Pachacamac and a
dragoness fertility deity who presided over
planting and
harvesting. She caused
earthquakes.
Mama Quilla ("mother moon" or "
golden mother") was a marriage, festival and
moon goddess and daughter of
Viracocha and
Mama Cocha, as well as wife and sister of
Inti. She was the mother of
Manco Capac,
Pachacamac,
Kon and
Mama Ocllo.
Mama Zara ("grain mother", aka Zaramama) was the goddess of grain. She was associated with
maize that grew in multiples or were similarly strange. These strange plants were sometimes dressed as dolls of Mama Zara. She was also associated with
willow trees.
Pacha Camac ("Earth-maker") was a
chthonic creator god, earlier worshiped by the
Ichma but later adopted into the creation myth of the Inca.
Pariacaca was a god of
water in pre-Inca mythology that was adopted by the Inca. He was a god of rainstorms and a creator-god. He was born a
falcon but later became human.
Paricia was a god who sent a
flood to kill humans who did not respect him adequately. Possibly another name for Pachacamac.
Supay was both the god of
death and ruler of the
Uca Pacha as well as a race of
demons.
Urcaguary was the god of
metals,
jewels and other underground items of great value.
*
Mama Ocllo was the sister and wife of
Manco Capac. She was thought to have taught the Inca the art of spinning.
Mamaconas were similar to nuns and lived in temple sanctuaries. They dedicated their lives to
Inti, lived a life of
chastity, and served the Inca and priests. Young girls of the nobility or of exceptional beauty were trained for four years as
acllas and then had the option of becoming mamaconas or marrying Inca nobles. They are comparable to the Roman
Vestal Virgins.
*In one legend,
Ono pacakoti was a great flood sent by Virachocha to destroy the giants that built
Tiwanaku.
*A
Huaca was a sacred object such as a mountain or a mummy.
Uca Pacha ("the lower world") was the
underworld (similar to
Hell or
Hades), located in the center of
Earth.
Hanan Pacha (higher world) was the Heavenly underworld. Only
righteous people could enter it (much like
Heaven), crossing a bridge made of hair.
Chakana (or Inca Cross, Chakana) is the three-stepped cross representing the southern cross and symbolising the three tiers of Inca life. The lower world, this world and the higher world. The three levels also represent the snake, puma and condor.
