Handbook of Inca Mythology

The first introduction to the Incas and their myths aimed at students and general readers bringing together a wealth of information into one convenient resource.Full of hard to find information Handbook of Inca Mythology provides an accessible introduction to the rites beliefs and spiritual tales of the Incas. It provides a concise overview of Incan civilization and mythology a chronology of mythic and historical events and an AZ inventory of central themes (sacrifice fertility competition reversaldualism colors constellations giants and miniatures) personages (Viracocha Manco Capac Pachackuti Inca) locations (Lake Titicaca Corickancha) rituals and icons.The last Native American culture to develop free of European influence the Incas who had no written language are known only from Spanish accounts written after the conquest and archaeological finds. From these fragments a vanished world has been reborn and reintroduced into modern Andean life. There is no better way into that world and its mind-bending mythology than this unique handbook.