The Inca around 1500

The Sun god

Inca religion was based on the worship of the Sun god. This was the most powerful god and it was considered to be a source of warmth, life and fertility. For the Incas, the Sun was a god who chose them. They believed that the sun was their father and they were all his descendants. The Sapa Inca (the emperor) was the son of the Sun, and was also considered to be a god and the representative of the Sun god on Earth.

Many gods

The Incas also believed that there were many other gods who were less powerful than the Sun, but who were very important in everyday life. They believed that gods and spirits inhabited objects and places like mountains, rivers and buildings. It was an animist religion. They performed many rituals to please these spirits so that they would help them in their lives and in their work.

AuthorAlexandre Lanoix

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