The Willaq Umu ("priest who recounts", hispanicized spelling Villac Umu) were the High Priests of the Sun in the Inca Empire. [1]: 234 They were usually the brothers of the Sapa Inca (the ruler of the empire), and most likely the second most powerful person in the entire empire.

Priests were in residence at all important shrines and temples. A chronicler suggests that a priest’s title was umu, but in usage his title was geared to his functions as diviner of lungs, sorcerer, confessor, and curer. The title of the chief priest in Cuzco, who was of noble lineage, was villac umu, a lifetime post. He was married, had ...

Capacocha or Qhapaq hucha[1] (Quechua: qhapaq noble, solemn, principal, mighty, royal, hucha crime, sin, guilt [2][3] Hispanicized spellings Capac cocha, Capaccocha, Capacocha, also qhapaq ucha) was an important sacrificial rite among the Inca that typically involved the …

…was of noble lineage, was villac umu. He held his post for life, was married, and competed in authority with the Inca. He had power over all shrines and temples and could appoint and remove priests. Presumably, priests were chosen young, brought …

Feb 15, 2016 · The god was served by a dedicated High Priest (Villaq Umu), the most senior religious figure in the Inca world, who was aided by a team of young virgin priests, the acllas (also acyllyaconas). Each major Inca town had a temple to the god and a vast amount of resources were dedicated to him.

Priests were very important people in Inca society because they were a link between people and the gods and spirits. The cult of the Sun was headed by a High Priest who ran the temples and appointed the priests. The role of the priests was to conduct rituals and sacrifices.

Jul 3, 2024 · The Inca priests played a crucial role in mediating between humans and the gods. They were responsible for performing rituals and ceremonies, interpreting divine messages, and advising the Inca emperor on matters of religion and state.

The Villaq Umu (from Quechua: Willaq Umu 'the one who has the word/advice' 'main priest'), was the high priest or chief priest of the Inca Empire, called Vila Oma by the Spanish. There is, however, some divergence among chroniclers about its nature and functions.

Becoming a priest was considered one of the most honorable positions in society. Female priests were called mamakuna, or “the chosen women,” and they wove special cloth and brewed chicha for religious festivals. The main temple in the Inca Empire, called Qurikancha, was built in Cusco.

The Incas were a very hierarchical society, and although the Inca (the king) was the son of the sun, his religious power was divided with hullac umac (the high priest, chosen from a noble lineage) to whom the priests of all shrines were submitted.