Inca Religion

405 Words2 Pages
The Incas were one of the most advanced civilizations in pre-Columbia America. They followed a polytheistic system, also believing in reincarnation and sacrifice. Sacrifices were a way of life designed to please the gods. The Incas used human sacrifice as a way of maintaining political power According to the Incas, religion and state were one. Viracocha was the creator god, with the one source of power, while Inti, the sun god, was his most important servant god. Inti was the symbol of the Incas, representing their central theme of the official religion. The Inca religion consisted of dispersed cults, centered on the huaca (a magic or holy object/spirit that is often associated with agriculture). Unlike the Spaniards, the Inca religion was…show more content…
This abolishes the Incas tradition of sacrifice. Roman Catholic Priests or Friars always accompanied the Spanish explorers when they wanted to convert the indigenous people to Christianity. The Spaniards built churches and destroyed temples. The religious items and idols of the Incas were banned because they were viewed as “manifestations of the devil.” They had to give up their native customs and adjust to those of the Spaniards. The attitude of the Spanish Conquistadors towards the natives was that they were savages. The Spanish government had declared that the Encomienda system be established. Encomienda comes from the Spanish word “encomendar,” to entrust. Although this system was supposed to protect the natives, the Spaniards misused it and treated the natives as they thought was best. The natives were mistreated, persecuted, and over-worked by the Spaniards. During the Encomienda, thousands of Peruvians died. The Incas have gotten all of their freedoms and rights taken away from them. Not to mention their own traditions and religions. The Conquistadors were now feared and hated. The Encomienda system was one of the many horrors imposed on the native people during the Spanish
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