Who was responsible for conducting religious ceremonies in the Inca civilization?

In the Inca civilization, priests played a vital role in conducting religious ceremonies, which were integral to the culture and society of the Incas. The priests were responsible for performing rituals and sacrifices to appease the gods, ensure agricultural fertility, and maintain societal order. They held significant power and were often regarded as intermediaries between the gods and the people, possessing special knowledge of religious practices and the calendar.

The Incas had a polytheistic belief system and celebrated numerous deities, so it was essential to have dedicated individuals to oversee and carry out these ceremonies. Priests were typically well-educated and trained in the traditions and rituals of the Inca religion, allowing them to effectively perform their duties within temples and during important festivals. Their role in spiritual leadership helped maintain the cohesion of the Inca Empire and reinforced the divine right of kings, who were seen as descendants of the sun god and required to follow religious guidelines instituted by the priests.

While kings did have a ceremonial role and sometimes conducted rituals, their primary function was governance and leadership, rather than being the main conductors of religious ceremonies. Scribes were responsible for record-keeping and documentation, and warriors focused on military duties, contributing to the state in different ways but not primarily in the