SEMINARY OF “INKA HISTORY AND ANDEAN CULTURE”

 

Presentation

 

The inka culture was developed in the Peruvian Andes in the last years of the XV century. Cusco or Qosqo according to the Incas, was the administrative, political and religious centre of that great empire called Tawantinsuyu (“The four united nations”)… the traces of the Inca culture can still be appreciated through the big architectonic  works, such as Machu Picchu, currently considered one of the 7 wonders of the world.

More than 500 hundred years have passed from the moment America turned into a Spanish colony, the Inca culture suffered enormous transformations at that then for sure, but that fact did not cause its extinction. The millenary wisdom of the Andean man, and particularly the Inca’s, is still in force between its descendants and specialists. We have not only inherited the amazing Inca constructions and incomprehensible technologies that grant us halos of mystery, but their knowledge related to medicine, astronomy, philosophy and religion. This knowledge, despite having been left out, are still in force and have an enviable strength because now more than ever shows us alternative paths of growth and physical and spiritual balance. Knowing the Incas only through their monumental legacy would be like appreciating the stream that feeds a great river of millenary wisdom.

Wanamey Advisors & Consultants, through the seminary of “INKA HISTORY AND ANDEAN CULTURE”, will offer general indications to identify the bed of that river that allows understand the philosophical and religious principles that gave birth to one of the most important cultures of the world. The seminary will give knowledge related to the history of the Incas, the principles of their religion, and traditional medicine and will complement them with guided visits to the main museums of the city (Inca Museum and Qoricancha) to the archaeological places (Saqsayhuaman P’isaq, Ollantaytambo, Chinchero and Machu Picchu) and also to places of high, sacred and energetic, value.

For the lecturers of the SEMINARY OF “INKA HISTORY AND ANDEAN CULTURE” to share their knowledge, they combine studies of scientific order and alternative knowledge acquired through their ancestors through the force of orality. The knowledge that the lecturers will give you will expand your personal panorama, will allow you understand the Inca culture and its transformations, and will give you indications for your spiritual growth.

At the end of the day, after enjoying pleasant conversations and invaluable lessons, you will have the sensation of getting closer to the secrets of the Inca cosmo vision and you will be able to identify the paths that lead to the comprehension of your wisdom.

1.     Objectives

-          To offer the participants knowledge related to the Inca history and the principles of their religion and medicine, complemented with guided visits to the most important archaeological places in the city of Cusco.

-          To give the theoretical and practical tools to understand the Inca history, religion and medicine.

2.     The seminaries

 

A.    Seminary N° 1: “History of the Incas”

In this seminary we will talk about the Inca history, through written and archaeological sources: from the founding of the empire until its downfall due to the Spanish conquest. First of all we will make a short introduction of the towns that settled in the valley of Cusco before the Incas got there, afterwards we will have an in depth analysis of the founding of the city of Cusco or “Qosqo”, emphasizing the told stories of its origin . Then we will describe and analyze the most important historical events of the development of the empire, such as the war against the Chanka and the main works of the Inca Pachacuteq. To conclude we will present the main causes of the Spanish conquest and the reasons of the fall of the Inca Empire.

 

B.    Seminary N° 2: “Inca Religion”

In this seminary we will have an in depth analysis of the principles of philosophy and doctrine that characterized the religion of one of the most transcendent cultures in the Andean space. We will depict and analyze the western and Andean interpretations of the three ways to understand the space and time in the Andes: Kay Pacha, Uju Pacha and Hanaj Pacha

Then, we will talk about the meaning and transcendence that life has for the “Andean Cross” or “Inca Chakana”. The interpretation of two deities of high symbolic value could not be left aside: the cults to the Inti (sun) and Pachamama (Mother Earth). Before presenting with greater detail the doctrine, philosophy, astronomy and characteristics of the priesthood of the Incas, the seminary will develop the study of the rituals of thanksgiving and initiation that are still practiced by the heirs of the Inca culture.

 

C.    Seminary N° 3: “Traditional Andean Medicine”

In this seminary we will talk about different subjects related to the philosophical and religious principles of the traditional Andean medicine, such as the importance of the relationship between mankind with the four elements to our physical health, relationship with Earth, Air, Water and Fire, likewise, we will talk about the physical, mental and spiritual benefits of one of most used plants in the Andes: Coca leaf. On the other hand, we will depict and explain the most relevant principles of the offerings and of the ceremonies of healing of the body and of the human psyche. Finally, we will explain the importance that the constant relationship with the cosmic energy has for the human being (energy of the cosmos) and the telluric energy (energy of the Pachamama or Mother Earth)

3.     Methodology

The seminaries will be offered by specialists of the Inca history and the Andean Culture, who will present the main historical, philosophical and religious events that, represented the Inca culture. After each presentation, the participants will be able to make questions or suggest subjects to put in debate.  At the end of the day we will give the participants a written summary of the most important points analyzed during the seminaries and a pack of complementary readings.

After every seminary, the participants, guided by their respective guides, will visit places of a high symbolic and sacred value to carry out examples of ancient ritualistic practices, we will also know museums (Inca Museum and Qoricancha).

In the last two days of the seminary, guided visits to archaeological places will be done (P’isaq, Ollantaytambo, Chincheros y Machu Picchu), all of that will be done to complement the theoretical classes.

The minimum amount required is 5 people and the maximum is 15.

4.     Available dates (2009)

-          From the 08 to the 12 of June

-          From the 16 to the 22 of June

-          From the 06 to the 10 of June

-          From the 20 to the 24 of June

-          From the 03 to the 07 of august

-          From the 17 to the 21 of august

-          From the 07 to the 11 of September

-          From the 21 to the 25 of September

-          From the 01 to the 05 of September

-          From the 06 to the 10 of September

5.     Programme of activities

Day 1.

Presentation of participants and explanation of methodology (9:00 to 9:15 am)

Seminary: “History of the Incas” (9:15 to10:15 am)

Coffee Break (10:15 to 10:45 am)

Seminary: “History of the Incas”

Lunch (12.30 to 3:00 pm)

Visit to the Inca Museum, and to the Museum of Qoricancha (3:30 to 6:00 pm)

Day 2.

Seminary “Inca Religion” (9:00 – 10:15 am)

Coffee Break (10:15 to 10:45 am)

Seminary “Inca Religion” (10:45 to 12:30 pm)

Lunch: (12.30 a 3:00 pm)

Visit to a place of symbolical value (Inca fortress of Sacsaywaman) where we will carry an offering to Pachamama (Mother Earth). (3:30 to 5:30 pm)

Day 3.

Seminary “Traditional Andean Medicine” (9:00 to 10:15 am)

Coffee Break (10:15 to 10:45 am)

Seminary “Traditional Andean Medicine” (10:45 am to 12:30 pm)

Lunch (12.30 a 3:00 pm)

We will visit a place of symbolic value (Temple of the Moon) where we will carry out a ceremony of purification. (3:30 to 5:30 pm)

Day 4.

Guided visit to the Sacred Valley of the Incas (Archaeological complexes of P’isaq, Ollantaytambo and Chinchero). (9:00 am – 6:00 pm)

Lunch included

Day 5.

Guided visit to the citadel of Machu Picchu (5:00 am – 10:00 pm)