The Four Gods and the Birth of the Inca Empire

Perusino, Perusina, Inti, Pachamama, Viracocha, Illapa

The Creation of the World by Viracocha

“In the very beginning,” their father began, as he made the fire in the house flicker a little higher, “there was nothing but darkness and chaos. But then came Viracocha. He was the creator god who created the world out of nothing.”

Perusina looked up at her father with wide eyes. “Did he create everything? Even people?”

There were many legends about Viracocha. Some Inca scholars believed that he once walked among men as a bearded man in white robes before disappearing west across the ocean. Spanish chroniclers later reported that some indigenous tribes thought the Europeans were the return of Viracocha – which had terrible consequences.

Inti - Sun God of the Incas - Pyramid Magic Cube

EUR 19.99

Buy now

Magic Pyramid Cube with Pachamama – Unique Puzzle Fun

EUR 19.99

Buy now

Viracocha and the ultimate puzzle: The Custom Triangular Pyramid Magic Cub

EUR 19.99

Buy now View all

Inti, the Sun of the Rulers

“Exactly,” their mother continued. “Inti, the sun god, was one of the most important gods for the Incas, especially for the ruling family. He was their patron. It was said that the Sapa Inca, the king of the Incas, was directly descended from Inti.”

Perusina grinned. “That’s why the Inca kings had to build such large temples for him, right?”

“Exactly. The most important of them was the Coricancha in Cusco, a temple whose walls were once covered with pure gold to reflect the light of Inti.”

Perusino’s eyes widened. “With gold? Why did they do that?”

“Gold was the sacred metal of the sun for the Incas. But Inti not only gave people gold, but also knowledge of time. Thanks to him, they knew when to cultivate their fields.”

PeruMagazin Network

Pachamama, the Mother of the Earth

“But not everyone worshipped only Inti,” their father continued. “The common farmers had a very special goddess: Pachamama, Mother Earth.”

Pachamama was particularly revered by the common people. Even today, people in the Andes make offerings to her by pouring chicha (corn beer) on the earth or burying small figures made of llama fat to secure her blessing.

Illapa, the God of Thunder

Perusina pulled the blanket tighter around her shoulders. “And what about Illapa?”

Illapa was often depicted as a warrior carrying a club and a sling. His Milky Way was considered a huge, celestial water channel from which he drew rain.

The Birth of the Inca Empire

But the most important story was yet to come. “The gods decided that they wanted to create a great people, strong enough to preserve their knowledge and rule the Andes. So they sent Manco Cápac and his wife Mama Ocllo to Earth.”

“And those were the first Incas?” Perusino asked curiously.

“Yes,” their mother nodded. “The two came from Lake Titicaca and traveled through the lands to find the perfect place for an empire. Inti had given them a golden rod that would sink into the most fertile soil. And that is exactly what happened in Cusco, the later capital of the Inca Empire.”

Cusco became the center of a mighty civilization that governed the Andes in the following centuries. Manco Cápac taught the men to cultivate fields, and Mama Ocllo taught the women how to weave and cook. Thus began the great Inca Empire.

Perusina yawned. “So the gods haven’t completely abandoned us after all?”

“Perhaps they are still watching us,” her father said with a mysterious smile. “And perhaps the next adventure lies in the old stories of the Incas.”

Perusino closed his eyes. “Then we must continue these stories.”

“Exactly,” Perusina whispered. “Tomorrow we start.”

Related Blogs