Incaism
/ˈɪŋ.kə.ɪzəm/noun
The religious beliefs, practices, or cultural system associated with the Inca.
Did you know?Inca religion treated the Sun, Inti, as a divine power, while the Sapa Inca—the emperor—was regarded as Inti’s descendant and earthly representative.
Etymological Timeline
Pre-Columbian period
Quechua
inka
“Ruler, lord, or member of the imperial Inca elite”
16th Century
Spanish
Inca
“The Inca ruler, people, or empire encountered by Spanish chroniclers”
16th–17th Century
Latinized European usage
Inca
“A designation for the South American imperial dynasty and its subjects”
19th Century
English
Incaism
“The religion or cultural system of the Incas”
Modern English
English
Incaism
“The beliefs, practices, or cultural system associated with the Inca”