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Situa
The situa or citua (in Quechuan languages, Quechua ) was the health and ritual purification festival in the Inca Empire. It was held in Cusco, the capital of the empire, during the month of September on the day of the first moon after the spring equinox, which in the southern hemisphere takes place normally on September 23. It was a very important festival whose rites are well described by the early Spanish chroniclers, in particular Cristóbal de Molina, Polo de Ondegardo and Inca Garcilaso de la Vega. The latter witnessed situas as a child after the Spaniards had reduced them to memorials of the actual Inca festival. The situa is also mentioned by Bernabé Cobo, who copied, most probably, its text from Molina,Bauer, Brian S.; Smith-Oka Vania; E. Cantarutti, Gabriel (editors) (2011) Account of the Fables and Rites of the Incas by Cristóbal de Molina - With an introduction by Brian S. Bauer - University of Texas Press - Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala, Pedro Sarmiento de Gamboa and Ju ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Ushnu
In the Inca Empire the ushnu (other spelling ''usnu'', sometimes ''usñu'') was an altar for cults to the deities, a throne for the Sapa Inca (emperor), an elevated place for judgment and a reviewing stand of military command.Hyslop, John (1990). Inka Settlement Planning - University of Texas Press - Austin In several cases the ushnu may have been used as a solar observatory. Ushnus mark the center of ''plazas'' (main squares) of the Inca administrative centers all along the highland path of the Inca road system. The ushnu had also the function of a basin with a drain for libations. During the most important Inca festivals such as the Situa in Cusco, the capital of the Inca empire, the emperor poured chicha (fermented maize beverage) into the top basin as an offer to his father the Sun god and those who attended the ceremonies could drink it at a lower outlet. Sacrifices were also held in proximity of or at the ushnu.Gasparini, Graziano; Margolies, Luise (1977). Arquitectura in ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
