Inca Priests and Priestesses
-Priests and priestesses were thought to be able to do the bidding of the gods, so they were highly honored and often part of the royal family.
-Priestesses were expected to perform the hair combing ceremony which celebrated the coming of age for a girl.
-A girl would become a women during her hair combing ceremony and would choose her new name.
-The most beautiful and talented girls were sent to Cuzco to become princesses or the brides of rulers.
-When the ceremonies were performed, many people gathered to celebrate with dancing that generally followed all of the religious ceremonies.
-The priests were mainly advisers and counselors to the royal family, but they would counsel others on occasion.
-They also helped heal the sick and performed ceremonies.
-They also did what most priests do today, telling people about the gods and relaying messages and good or bad fortune to the people.
-The Sapa Inca led the government and religion.
-He married his sister. She was called the Coya. She was the most important wife.
-One of their sons became the next Sapa Inca when his father died.
-The high priest was a brother of the Sapa Inca. He and his priests came from the upper classes.
-They also helped the government. Other priests worked at the temples in the villages. They did the rituals , they led worship, and they offered sacrifices.
-Some priests predicted the future.
-Beautiful young girls went to live at the temple. They learned to weave fine cloth. They also brewed beer from maize (corn).Some of these girls married nobles. One might even marry the Sapa Inca. Others stayed in the temple and became priestesses.
-Priestesses were expected to perform the hair combing ceremony which celebrated the coming of age for a girl.
-A girl would become a women during her hair combing ceremony and would choose her new name.
-The most beautiful and talented girls were sent to Cuzco to become princesses or the brides of rulers.
-When the ceremonies were performed, many people gathered to celebrate with dancing that generally followed all of the religious ceremonies.
-The priests were mainly advisers and counselors to the royal family, but they would counsel others on occasion.
-They also helped heal the sick and performed ceremonies.
-They also did what most priests do today, telling people about the gods and relaying messages and good or bad fortune to the people.
-The Sapa Inca led the government and religion.
-He married his sister. She was called the Coya. She was the most important wife.
-One of their sons became the next Sapa Inca when his father died.
-The high priest was a brother of the Sapa Inca. He and his priests came from the upper classes.
-They also helped the government. Other priests worked at the temples in the villages. They did the rituals , they led worship, and they offered sacrifices.
-Some priests predicted the future.
-Beautiful young girls went to live at the temple. They learned to weave fine cloth. They also brewed beer from maize (corn).Some of these girls married nobles. One might even marry the Sapa Inca. Others stayed in the temple and became priestesses.