Forgotten stories of the Andes: The strangest myths of the ancient Incas

To fully appreciate the unusual tales of Inca mythology, we must first understand the core components of their religious and mythological beliefs.

The Inca civilization was polytheistic, acknowledging the presence of many gods, each governing various aspects of life and nature.

Their pantheon was rich and diverse, led by the creator god Viracocha, and other prominent deities such as Inti, the sun god, and Pachamama, the earth mother.

Inca mythology was not merely a collection of unrelated tales. Instead, it was a complex, cohesive system of stories and beliefs that shaped the Inca worldview.

Mythology played a significant role in everyday life, influencing everything from farming practices and architectural designs to rituals and warfare strategies.

Each story, each god, each ritual was like a thread woven into the fabric of Inca society, creating a complex tapestry of beliefs and practices.

Central to Inca religious thought was the concept of duality and reciprocity, encapsulated in their term "ayni".

This concept, rooted in the observable natural world, established a moral and ethical framework.

It emphasized balance, interchange, and mutual respect, not just between people, but between humans and nature, and between the mortal and divine realms.

The mythology mirrored this concept with tales often depicting acts of reciprocity or the struggle for equilibrium.

In many ways, Inca mythology served as a guidebook, providing moral and practical guidance for its people.

The gods and their deeds were not distant and detached from the mortals; instead, they were deeply entwined in their daily lives, acting as ever-present guardians, teachers, and sometimes, antagonists.

Through these myths, the Incas sought to explain the unexplainable, understand the world around them, and navigate the intricacies of existence.

The stories that seem strange to us might have made perfect sense to the Inca, as they were interpreted through the unique prism of their religious and philosophical understanding.

Before exploring the peculiar narratives in Inca mythology, it's essential to understand the foundational stories that set the stage for these unusual tales.

There are three central myths in Inca mythology: the creation myths, the legend of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, and the tale of the Ayar brothers.

The creation myths revolve around Viracocha, the omnipotent creator god. According to Inca lore, Viracocha emerged from Lake Titicaca or the sea, and created the earth, the sky, the stars, and the first humans, who were giants made of stone.

However, unsatisfied with his creation, Viracocha destroyed these first beings with a flood, then fashioned new humans from smaller stones.

This story, with its theme of creation, destruction, and recreation, is a prominent motif in Inca mythology, hinting at the Incas' understanding of life cycles and renewal.

Next is the legend of Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, the mythological founders of the Inca empire.

The pair, said to be the children of the sun god Inti, emerged from Lake Titicaca, carrying a golden staff given by their father.

They were instructed to settle wherever the staff sank into the ground. Their journey ended in the Cusco valley, marking the beginning of the grand Inca civilization.

This myth not only legitimizes the rule of the Inca but also underscores the connection between the divine and the earthly realms.

The tale of the Ayar brothers describes the mythical beginnings of the Inca dynasty.

It tells of four brothers and their wives who left the caves near Cusco to establish a new kingdom.

After various adventures and divine interventions, only one brother, Ayar Manco (who later took the name Manco Capac), succeeded.

This story, again, highlights divine guidance in establishing Inca rule and offers a heroic origin narrative for the dynasty.

After delving into the foundational myths of the Inca civilization, it's time to explore some of the stranger tales that this rich culture has to offer.

These stories often bend the boundaries of reality, introducing supernatural elements and occurrences that challenge our understanding of the world.

The first such story revolves around the god Viracocha, who, after creating the world and its beings, walked across the water and vanished into the sea, promising to return one day.

This aspect of the myth may seem peculiar to us, as it defies the natural laws as we understand them.

The story of Viracocha walking across the water and disappearing into the sea could be seen as an illustration of the cyclical nature of life and the interconnectedness of the divine with the natural world.

Viracocha's departure, coupled with the promise to return, aligns with the Inca belief in cycles of death and rebirth.

It also asserts the transcendence of the divine, demonstrating their ability to exist within and beyond the physical world.

Another tale features the Apus, spirits believed to reside in the mountains. These spirits were not only thought to govern weather conditions but could also shift shape, morphing into humans or animals as they pleased.

In one story, an Apu transformed into a beggar and tested the kindness of the villagers.

The story of the shape-shifting Apus reflects the Inca's deep reverence for and intimate connection with nature.

The Andean mountains were not just geographical features for the Inca, but living entities with agency and spiritual significance.

The tale reinforces the need for respect and reciprocity towards these powerful beings, emphasising the core Inca principle of "ayni".

An unusual narrative also exists about a hummingbird, believed to be a messenger between the living and the spirit world.

According to the myth, the hummingbird would fly to the land of the dead, collect souls, and then bring them back to their bodies on earth.

The hummingbird's journey between life and death signifies the Inca's belief in the existence of an afterlife and the cyclical nature of existence.

It also shows the significance of animals in Inca belief systems, assigning them critical roles in maintaining cosmic order.

The hummingbird, a creature seen daily, becomes a symbol of hope, spiritual communication, and resurrection.

A more disturbing tale involves the Supay, gods of death and the underworld. In one story, the Supay, jealous of the beauty of the human world, attempt to capture the sun and bring warmth and light to their dark domain.

The myth involving the Supay's attempt to capture the sun encapsulates the eternal struggle between life and death, light and darkness, order and chaos.

This narrative perhaps served as a cautionary tale, reminding the Inca of the potential consequences of disrupting natural balance and order.

While these stories may seem peculiar to us, they held profound significance for the Inca, providing them with a framework to comprehend and navigate the complexities of their world.

The strange elements in these myths often embody deeper symbolic meanings, representing the Incas' understanding of natural phenomena, societal values, and cosmic principles.