The Incas practiced the ritual of mummifying children in order to preserve them for eternity and to consider them as protectors of the community, by integrating them into their religious rituals and beliefs.
The Incas believed in a universe divided into three worlds: the upper world (Hanan Pacha), domain of the gods and the sun; the world of the living and humans (Kay Pacha); and the underground world (Uku Pacha), reserved for ancestors and fertility. They particularly venerated the sun (Inti) and the sacred mountains (Apus), which controlled the weather, crops, and prosperity. For them, maintaining a good relationship with these deities involved precise rituals and sometimes extreme offerings to ensure the survival of their people. Their culture was heavily based on the idea of reciprocity, a necessary exchange between humans and gods to guarantee the balance of the world.
Among the Incas, children held a very special place in rituals. They embodied purity and innocence, which is why they were seen as the ideal messengers to the gods. Often chosen from the most beautiful and noble lineages, these children were viewed as the supreme offering to obtain divine favor, especially during times of crisis or significant events. For the Incas, their sacrifice ensured protection, fertility of the lands, and cosmic balance. Essentially, these little ones represented a direct connection between the human and spiritual worlds, highlighting the crucial importance of their symbolic role.
Among the Incas, infant mummification had a profound meaning tied to their spiritual vision of the world. According to them, death was not an end, but a continuation of life in another world alongside the spirits. Mummifying a child allowed them to remain intact and pure for this sacred transition. Children, symbols of innocence and purity, were seen as privileged intermediaries between humans and deities. The Incas believed that these mummified children continued to live, in another form, serving as protectors for their community and ensuring the future prosperity of the people. It was a concrete way to honor the gods and maintain a lasting connection between the earthly world and the spiritual world.
Among the Incas, sacrificing children was one of the most valuable offerings made to the gods. The children were chosen for their purity and innocence, qualities particularly appreciated by the deities. Offering these young beings represented a way to gain divine favor or protection, especially during natural crises, droughts, or epidemics. Moreover, these sacrifices often accompanied special events: the crowning of a new emperor or a significant military victory. By sacrificing these children, considered privileged intermediaries between humans and the deities, the Incas hoped to maintain the balance of the universe and preserve harmony within their civilization.
The Incas would mummify children using very specific processes, particularly for those chosen for sacrifices, known as Capacocha. They would first select physically healthy children, often from noble families or particularly beautiful. Before the ritual, the children were given chicha, an alcoholic beverage made from corn, to make them unconscious or less aware of what was happening. They were then taken to high altitudes in the mountains, often well above 5,000 meters. Up there, the intense and dry cold naturally aided in the preservation of the bodies, which explains much of their excellent state of preservation today. To ensure mummification, the Incas meticulously placed the bodies sitting or in a fetal position, carefully surrounded by quality textiles and sometimes accompanied by offerings such as figurines or food. The cold air and dryness then did all the conservation work, which is why some Inca child mummies are still surprisingly well-preserved today.
The children selected for these rites often came from noble families or the upper classes of Inca society, as their sacrifice was considered the most precious and honorable offering to the gods.
One of the most famous sites for the discovery of Inca mummies is the Llullaillaco volcano in Argentina; in 1999, three children were found there perfectly preserved due to the extreme cold, revealing important information about Inca cultural practices.
The mummification of children among the Incas was carried out with particular care and respect, unlike in other cultures where sacrificial rites were often more brutal, reflecting their high spiritual regard for these practices.
The Incas viewed the children chosen for sacrifices as privileged beings, destined to directly intercede with the gods to ensure fertility, abundant harvests, and social peace.
No, the selected children often came from noble families or were particularly beautiful. They were specially chosen for their exceptional qualities, whether in appearance or lineage, in order to best honor the gods.
The children were particularly destined as offerings to deities such as Inti (the Sun god), Pachamama (the Earth Mother), or Apu (the mountain spirits). These deities were essential to the prosperity and balance of the Inca Empire.
Yes, the discovery of the famous 'Llullaillaco Mummies' in 1999, found in the Argentine Andes, is a remarkable example. These child mummies are among the best-preserved in the world, revealing much information about Inca rituals.
Unlike the Egyptians, who practiced complex embalming, the Incas generally performed natural mummification due to environmental conditions by placing bodies in cold, dry, and high-altitude locations, thus allowing for natural preservation without the use of chemical preservatives.
No, this ritual remained relatively rare and was reserved for particular occasions, such as times of crisis or major religious events. It was an exceptional gesture that reflected very important situations for Inca society.
The Incas regarded children as particularly pure, innocent beings free from sin. Thus, sacrificing or mummifying them was considered the most valuable and acceptable offering to their deities.
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