“Children of the Sun”. Our ancestral bond with nature
“Children of the Sun” is a recreation of one of the founding myths of Inca culture, told through a story that keeps the legacy of oral tradition alive.
The authors
Micaela Chirif (Lima, 1973) studied Philosophy in her home country and later completed a Master’s degree in Children’s and Young People’s Books and Literature at the Autonomous University of Barcelona. In addition to being a poet, she is the author of picture books and non-fiction titles. She has received numerous international awards and her works have been translated into a dozen languages.
Juan Palomino (Mexico City, 1984) also studied Philosophy in his home country. In his case, his professional career took the path of illustrating children’s and young people’s literature. His work has received several awards and has been exhibited throughout Latin America, Europe and Asia.
The god Inti
Inti, created by the supreme deity (Viracocha), was the Inca Sun God. He was considered an almighty god characterised by great generosity, yet capable of showing anger and displeasure to his people through phenomena such as solar eclipses or intense heat, which required sacrifices to restore balance. The Inca rulers considered themselves direct descendants of Inti, who was married to the Moon Goddess, Quilla.
Children of the Sun
Legend has it that Manco Cápac and Mama Ocllo emerged from the waters of Lake Titicaca, smiling, clean, dressed and groomed as if for a festive day. Sent by the god Inti, they were brought to this place with a clear purpose: to civilise the wild people who then inhabited the region and teach them how to live together peacefully and productively, with fair laws and good agriculture.
“In the beginning, the world was new and did not have a single scratch. People did not know how to dress, comb their hair or greet each other. They had not yet learned to heat water or cook potatoes or corn. No one had thought of dancing or telling a story.”
To carry out their mission, the god Inti gave them a golden staff that they would be able to sink into the ground at a specific point along their journey. That very spot would mark the place to found the centre of their empire: Cuzco.
Deities and nature
The god Inti is a reminder that, regardless of place or time in our history, nature has always been present in our lives. In this case, the Sun is a source of life and vital energy, essential to our existence. It influences the fertility of the land and is therefore crucial to the growth of our plants and food.
Closer to home, our natural cosmetics would not be possible without something as essential as the Sun. The ultimate lesson of this story, beyond myths and beliefs, is that we all need one another to grow, both individually and collectively. And we can do so by taking care of our surroundings and our Pacha Mama.
“They say that every time the Sun shines, even those who have forgotten the rituals feel their hearts filled with gratitude.”
