The Incas were a civilization that lived in South America from the 14th to the 16th century CE. Their culture was centered around religion and ritual, which played an important role in their daily lives. One aspect of Inca religion was their attitude towards intimacy and sexuality. The Incas had strict rules about who could have sex with whom, when they could do it, and how often they could do it. These rules were based on social class, marital status, gender, age, and even the timing of certain ceremonies.
Incest was forbidden among all members of the royal family. Only the Emperor was allowed to marry his sister, while everyone else was prohibited from doing so. Similarly, only married couples could engage in sexual activity. Unmarried people, even those who were engaged, could not touch each other's genitals without severe punishment. Adultery was also strictly prohibited. If someone violated these rules, they would be publicly humiliated and shamed.
Another way that the Incas controlled intimate behavior through ritual was by regulating the frequency and timing of sexual activity. During certain religious festivals, all sexual contact was banned for long periods of time. This was believed to ensure the fertility of crops and prevent natural disasters.
The Incas believed that having sex during certain times of day or under certain astrological conditions would bring bad luck.
Intercourse after sunset was considered taboo because it might anger the gods.
In addition to controlling intimate behavior through ritual, the Incas also used physical methods such as chastity belts to enforce their rules. Chastity belts were devices worn by women to prevent them from having sex outside of marriage. They consisted of a metal ring that went around the waist and attached to an iron plate between the legs, which prevented penetration. The Inca Empire fell in 1532 CE, but many of their customs regarding sex and sexuality continue to influence modern South American societies today.
How is intimate behavior controlled through ritual in Incan religious practice?
Intimacy in Incan culture was highly regulated by various social norms that dictated who could have sex with whom and under what circumstances. These norms were based on traditional gender roles, age differences, and marriage arrangements, among other factors. Intimate behavior between two people of the same gender or outside of marriage was considered taboo, and punishable by death or public shaming.