Mitos y Leyendas: The Story of the Origin of the Inca Empire and the Creation of the World

• Mitos y Leyendas tells you the myth of the creation of the world according to the Inca culture.
• The main god, Viracocha, is the father of creation in this culture.
• He walked across the planet and created absolutely everything on it.

At the heart of the ancient Inca civilization lies a fascinating mythical tale that narrates the beginning of the world and the foundation of their empire.

This myth, passed down through generations, is a window into the rich oral tradition of the Incas and offers a unique insight into their cosmogony and beliefs.

Let’s learn about the Inca creation myth and the legend of Viracocha, the supreme creator.

In the beginning, according to Inca mythology, the world was a dark and disordered place. Viracocha, the supreme creator god, rose from the depths and began to shape the chaos.

Viracocha and the creation of the world

First, he ordered the sky and the earth, and then he created a race of giants whom he commanded to serve him in peace. However, these giants were not reciprocal in their service, which angered Viracocha.

As punishment, he turned them into stones and sent a general flood known as «Unu Pachacútec.»

The waters of the flood transformed the world, and once the land dried up, Viracocha decided to populate it again. To do this perfectly, he created the sun, the moon, and the stars in the great Lake Titicaca.

However, it is said that the moon had more light than the sun, which led the sun to throw ash on her face, giving rise to the moon as we know it today.

Viracocha’s Representative

After these celestial creations, Viracocha sent an envoy named Viracochan to the earth. This mysterious being wore a tattered robe and carried a staff, and was attributed great power.

He traveled the Andes and the mountains, performing wonders along his way. Viracocha made towns emerge from the earth, lakes, springs, valleys, caves, trees, rocks, and mountains.

He gave each town a costume, a language, songs, and seeds. Everything was perfectly organized.

He also taught men to live in harmony, to cultivate the land, and to take care of it.

No Mercy

With his staff, he transformed the earth into fields and made corn and other foods grow with just a few words.

However, some rebellious nations that did not follow his commands were turned into stone, in the shape of men and women wearing the same costumes they wore.

These statues are found in various places in the Andes and the mountains.

On his journey, Viracocha arrived in Cachi, inhabited by the canes, who confronted him. In response, he made volcanic fire fall upon them, which ceased when the canes threw down their weapons and worshiped him.

Viracocha Delivers His Staff

Then, Viracocha arrived in Urcos, where he commanded the locals to come out of the hill. In this place, they erected an adoration site with an image in his likeness.

He continued his journey and arrived in Cuzco, where he created a lord named Alcabiza and predicted the arrival of the Incas Orejones, whom everyone would respect.

Viracocha finally reached the town of Tambo or Ollantaytambo, where he handed over his staff engraved with all his knowledge to the curaca Apu Tambo. In his memory, they carved a mountain in his image.

Before leaving, Viracocha predicted that in the future there would be people who would present themselves as him, but he warned the people not to believe them. Then, he walked into the sea walking on water.

The Incas in Cuzco

Over time, the staff left by Viracocha turned into fine gold and was carried by Manco Cápac, the first Inca, who founded the capital of the Inca empire, Cuzco.

This Inca creation myth and the figure of Viracocha are testimonies to the rich spiritual and cultural heritage of this ancient civilization, which left a lasting imprint on the history of South America.

Undoubtedly, the Inca culture has a spectacular folklore that enchants anyone who has the opportunity to learn more about their conceptions of the world and everything in it.

Mitos y Leyendas bids you farewell for now and hopes you have enjoyed the Inca folklore and their ideologies. Until next time!