Inti Raymi: Festival of the Sun

The Sumak Wallpary Foundation, in the province of Imbabura, Ibarra canton, supports and promotes the preservation of the ancient traditions of the Andean peoples. One of the most significant celebrations is the Inti Raymi or Sun Festival, an ancient festival that honors Inti (Sun) and marks the beginning of the June solstice, when the day is shortest and the night is longest of the year.

Inti Raymi has its roots in pre-Columbian cultures, especially the Inca Empire, and represents an act of gratitude to the Sun for the harvests, as well as a request for a prosperous new agricultural cycle. This ancient celebration is still alive in countries such as Ecuador, Perú and Bolivia.

In Ecuador, Inti Raymi is celebrated with great devotion through traditional dances, music and community rituals, expressing respect and gratitude to the Sun and the Pachamama (Mother Earth), sacred symbols of life and abundance for the Andean peoples.