Pachacamac was a religious center for both the Wari and Inca empire. In Pachacamac there was an oracle (image one) that was considered the "Lord of Earthquakes". Oracles give prophecies and with their opinions it "allowed them to contradict the power, authority and divinity of a ruler" (The Incas). This was connected to the temple of Pachacamac which is pre-Inca.
Oracles could be used for both administration for example crops and weather, or on the other side of military decisions and the outcome of a battle. Priests of the oracle act as voices or mediums, priests that make accurate decisions are rewarded with gifts of precious metal, cloth, llamas and on rare occasions qhapaq hucha - children sacrifice. An inaccurate priest, or a priest that gives unfavorable predictions was beheaded. Willaq Umu were high priests of the Sun in the Inca empire. They had the ability to choose and get rid of priests.
The oracle of Pachacamac was linked to the oracles of Mala and Chinchay which were both branches of the religious center. Tributes to the oracles like cotton, maize, coca leaves and much more came from all parts of the Inca empire. In 1896 Unle discovered 46 females strangled, this is thought to be a tribute to the sun god Inti (Inca god)
In Pachacamac there is a temple where a Acclawasi (aqllawasi) which is the house of chosen women (image two), they were chosen specifically to serve Inca religion, this includes improving economical and political ties. Women chosen for a Acclawasi were to stay virgins until they were given as brides to important leaders of the community. Chosen women were important brewers of chicha and weavers of fine cloth.
Pachacamac was previously linked to other coastal valleys and civilization through a organization of Ychma. Pachacamac was so important and influential to the pre-Inca community that Topa Inca (an Incan ruler) "was desirous of having only a temple to the sun; but as that shrine (Pachacamac) was so venerated by the natives, he refrained, and contented himself with having a great temple to the sun built" (The Incas)
Pacha Kamaq means "Creator of the world" in quechua. Linguists have theorized that quechua originated in Pachacamac a coastal city instead of the long held belief it originated in Cuzco. In modern language there are spelling discrepancies because the Peruvian government standardized a quechua alphabet that was later revised, with a example above; Acclawasi, aqllwasi. While "creator of the world" indicates a connections to the land water and creations, it was believed the Pachacamac created earthquakes and used them if not pleased with offerings.
Morris, Craig, and Adriana Von Hagen. The Incas. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2011. 65. Print.
For more photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/schollla/
 |
| Image one - Wooden Idol of Pachacamac Idol |
Oracles could be used for both administration for example crops and weather, or on the other side of military decisions and the outcome of a battle. Priests of the oracle act as voices or mediums, priests that make accurate decisions are rewarded with gifts of precious metal, cloth, llamas and on rare occasions qhapaq hucha - children sacrifice. An inaccurate priest, or a priest that gives unfavorable predictions was beheaded. Willaq Umu were high priests of the Sun in the Inca empire. They had the ability to choose and get rid of priests.
The oracle of Pachacamac was linked to the oracles of Mala and Chinchay which were both branches of the religious center. Tributes to the oracles like cotton, maize, coca leaves and much more came from all parts of the Inca empire. In 1896 Unle discovered 46 females strangled, this is thought to be a tribute to the sun god Inti (Inca god)
In Pachacamac there is a temple where a Acclawasi (aqllawasi) which is the house of chosen women (image two), they were chosen specifically to serve Inca religion, this includes improving economical and political ties. Women chosen for a Acclawasi were to stay virgins until they were given as brides to important leaders of the community. Chosen women were important brewers of chicha and weavers of fine cloth.
 |
| Image two |
Pachacamac was previously linked to other coastal valleys and civilization through a organization of Ychma. Pachacamac was so important and influential to the pre-Inca community that Topa Inca (an Incan ruler) "was desirous of having only a temple to the sun; but as that shrine (Pachacamac) was so venerated by the natives, he refrained, and contented himself with having a great temple to the sun built" (The Incas)
Pacha Kamaq means "Creator of the world" in quechua. Linguists have theorized that quechua originated in Pachacamac a coastal city instead of the long held belief it originated in Cuzco. In modern language there are spelling discrepancies because the Peruvian government standardized a quechua alphabet that was later revised, with a example above; Acclawasi, aqllwasi. While "creator of the world" indicates a connections to the land water and creations, it was believed the Pachacamac created earthquakes and used them if not pleased with offerings.
Morris, Craig, and Adriana Von Hagen. The Incas. New York: Thames & Hudson, 2011. 65. Print.
For more photos - http://www.flickr.com/photos/schollla/
