Like all known Bronze-Age civilizations, the Incas practiced human sacrifice — not on the horrific scale of the Aztecs, but still extensively, especially on prisoners of war after battle; at great festivals "when innocent unblemished boys and girls" were buried alive and at royal funerals when hundreds of human beings, and thousands of animals accompanied the spirit of the dead Inca to the Lord Sun.

The Inca calendar was punctuated by festivals, some of which are still observed today. Many of these ceremonies involved the sacrifice of animals. Some chroniclers of Inca history report that in the city of Cuzco, more than 10,000 llamas were sacrificed in one ceremony.

The most important festival was the "Inti Rami," or "festival of the sun," which celebrated the summer solstice. Nobles from all over the empire would travel to Cuzco on that day to pay tribute to the Sapa Inca. The Inca recognized their tribute with gifts of cloth, virgins and other fineries.

Nueva Corónica y Buen Gobierno
(Letter to a King)

The Inca calendar was punctuated with many festivals and ceremonies. Poma describes some of the traditional songs in his letter"

"The songs and dances of our people do not involve any element of magic or witchcraft. If it were not for the drunkenness associated with them, they would be a pure expression of relaxation and joy. The popular songs called aravi and taqui are brimming with happiness. The haylli aravi, which celebrates victory in war or success in harvest, is sung by girls to the accompaniment of flutes played by young men."