Above illustration: inca priest - data:image/jpeg;base64,/9j/4AAQSkZJ1VqGo5gRpJBU7/AOWep2wYcsvYfYf0xcD/ADxx/wCmMQN5O5MHTLKpJUAE72AmPaMTLY6TisYkzW2jgd5aj2649iykgjHsVAe28mSJ/9k=
Priests and Priestesses
The Incas were a very hierarchical society, and although the Inca (the king) was the son of the sun, his religious power was divided with hullac umac (the high priest, chosen from a noble lineage) to whom the priests of all shrines were submitted. The priests made sacrifices, prayed on behalf of the believers, listened to people's confession, and where responsible for divination. They often lived in the temple that also housed the priestesses -chosen women that would remain chaste unless they were chosen as a concubine or a wife of someone of the imperial families. They were also in charge of the preparation of chicha, and the woven of the textile used in the cults.
The Incas were a very hierarchical society, and although the Inca (the king) was the son of the sun, his religious power was divided with hullac umac (the high priest, chosen from a noble lineage) to whom the priests of all shrines were submitted. The priests made sacrifices, prayed on behalf of the believers, listened to people's confession, and where responsible for divination. They often lived in the temple that also housed the priestesses -chosen women that would remain chaste unless they were chosen as a concubine or a wife of someone of the imperial families. They were also in charge of the preparation of chicha, and the woven of the textile used in the cults.