Inkarri
Encyclopedia
The Inkarri myth is one of the most famous legends of the Inca. When the Spanish conquistador
es tortured and executed the last ruler of the Inca people, Atahualpa
, he vowed that he would come back one day to avenge his death. According to the legend, the Spaniards buried his body parts in several places around the kingdom: His head is said to rest under the Presidential Palace in Lima
, while his arms are said to be under the Waqaypata (Square of tears) in Cuzco
and his legs in Ayacucho
. Buried under the earth he will grow until one day, when he will rise, take back his kingdom and restore harmony in the relationship between Pachamama
(the earth) and her sons.
Since it has been passed on orally for many generations, several different versions of the Inkarri myth exist. The name Inkarri probably evolved from the Spanish Inca-rey (Inca-king).
The mythical lost city of Paititi
is said to have been founded by Inkarri.
.
A comprehensive analysis in French has been published on the web as "Incarri, la prophétie du retour de l'Inca".
Conquistador
Conquistadors were Spanish soldiers, explorers, and adventurers who brought much of the Americas under the control of Spain in the 15th to 16th centuries, following Europe's discovery of the New World by Christopher Columbus in 1492...
es tortured and executed the last ruler of the Inca people, Atahualpa
Atahualpa
Atahualpa, Atahuallpa, Atabalipa, or Atawallpa , was the last Sapa Inca or sovereign emperor of the Tahuantinsuyu, or the Inca Empire, prior to the Spanish conquest of Peru...
, he vowed that he would come back one day to avenge his death. According to the legend, the Spaniards buried his body parts in several places around the kingdom: His head is said to rest under the Presidential Palace in Lima
Lima
Lima is the capital and the largest city of Peru. It is located in the valleys of the Chillón, Rímac and Lurín rivers, in the central part of the country, on a desert coast overlooking the Pacific Ocean. Together with the seaport of Callao, it forms a contiguous urban area known as the Lima...
, while his arms are said to be under the Waqaypata (Square of tears) in Cuzco
Cusco
Cusco , often spelled Cuzco , is a city in southeastern Peru, near the Urubamba Valley of the Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the Cusco Region as well as the Cuzco Province. In 2007, the city had a population of 358,935 which was triple the figure of 20 years ago...
and his legs in Ayacucho
Ayacucho
Ayacucho is the capital city of Huamanga Province, Ayacucho Region, Peru.Ayacucho is famous for its 33 churches, which represent one for each year of Jesus's life. Ayacucho has large religious celebrations, especially during the Holy Week of Easter...
. Buried under the earth he will grow until one day, when he will rise, take back his kingdom and restore harmony in the relationship between Pachamama
Pachamama
Pachamama is a goddess revered by the indigenous people of the Andes. Pachamama is usually translated as Mother Earth, but a more literal translation would be "Mother world"...
(the earth) and her sons.
Since it has been passed on orally for many generations, several different versions of the Inkarri myth exist. The name Inkarri probably evolved from the Spanish Inca-rey (Inca-king).
The mythical lost city of Paititi
Paititi
Paititi is a legendary Inca lost city or utopian rich land said to lie east of the Andes, hidden somewhere within the remote rain forests of southeast Peru, northern Bolivia or southwest Brazil...
is said to have been founded by Inkarri.
In popular culture
The legend of Inkarri is the background story and the title of a novel by Ryan MillerRyan Miller (author)
Ryan Miller is a writer who worked as a design director for the computer game company Cyan Worlds, founded by his brothers Rand and Robyn Miller. Ryan is credited with writing the initial draft of the Book of Atrus for Myst...
.
A comprehensive analysis in French has been published on the web as "Incarri, la prophétie du retour de l'Inca".