Above illustration: Inca pottery - http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/2011/04/inca-empire/clark-photography
Ceremonies
Inca religious ceremonies followed the Inca calendar.
The seasons of the year were very important to the Inca, because they lived off the land. Their calendar was divided into twelve lunar months, named for important agricultural and religious events. Every month they had one more festivals.
Each month had three weeks of ten days each. When the calendar and the sun got off track, the Inca would add a day or two to bring them back into alignment.
The Incan year started in December, and began with Capac Raymi, the magnificent festival.
In addition to the these monthly ceremonies there were many others, which were held on special occasions, such as a drought, an earthquake, or a war. During these ceremonies everyone who was not of noble rank had to leave Cusco. Men and boys marched in procession through the streets, wearing red shirts with long fringes and ornaments, great feathered headdresses, and shell necklaces. They carried small dried green birds and white drums. At these ceremonies the only sound was the sound of the drums; the people were silent.
Inca religious ceremonies followed the Inca calendar.
The seasons of the year were very important to the Inca, because they lived off the land. Their calendar was divided into twelve lunar months, named for important agricultural and religious events. Every month they had one more festivals.
Each month had three weeks of ten days each. When the calendar and the sun got off track, the Inca would add a day or two to bring them back into alignment.
The Incan year started in December, and began with Capac Raymi, the magnificent festival.
In addition to the these monthly ceremonies there were many others, which were held on special occasions, such as a drought, an earthquake, or a war. During these ceremonies everyone who was not of noble rank had to leave Cusco. Men and boys marched in procession through the streets, wearing red shirts with long fringes and ornaments, great feathered headdresses, and shell necklaces. They carried small dried green birds and white drums. At these ceremonies the only sound was the sound of the drums; the people were silent.