Gods of the Andes provides the first English translation of the earliest lengthy description of Inca religion; An Account of the Ancient Customs of the Natives of Peru (1594). The Account is part of a Jesuit tradition of ecumenical works on religion that encompasses the more famous writings of Matteo Ricci in China and Roberto de Nobili in India. It includes original descriptions of many different aspects of Inca religion; including human sacrifice; the use of hallucinogens; mummification rituals; the existence of transgendered priests in the ancient Andes; divination rituals based on animal entrails; oracles; burials; and confession. In her introductory chapters; Sabine Hyland presents the controversial life of the ascribed author; Blas Valera; a Jesuit who was ultimately imprisoned and exiled by the Jesuits for his “heretical†belief that the Incas worshipped the same creator god the Christians did; examines the Account in the light of other colonial writings about the Incas; and outlines what we know about Inca religion through other sources; comparing Valera’s version to those of other writers.
#145220 in Books 1998-02-27Original language:EnglishPDF # 1 9.25 x 1.13 x 6.13l; 1.38 #File Name: 0271017511392 pages
Review
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful. Best book on Necromancy I've foundBy Kim H.If you're looking for a book about the specific rituals of Necromancy you cannot get better than this. Richard Kieckhefer's writing is concise and to the point. Wonderful for character research and definitely my go-to book when I need a dark ritual in a short story.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. Thumbs upBy Donna BartonStill reading and working my way through this one; but it arrived ahead of schedule and other than that it is informative.0 of 0 people found the following review helpful. CautionBy CustomerAll is well. I bought this book for an essay and study on the dark arts; THIS is not family friendly and can trigger religiously sensitive people.
