Peruvian Naylamp Brass & Copper Model of a Ceremonial Tumi Knife Wall Hanging

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A brass and copper model of a tumi or ceremonial knife, with an adorable motif of naylamp, the founder of … Read more A brass and copper model of a tumi or ceremonial knife, with an adorable motif of naylamp, the founder of the ancient peruvian sican culture. About tumis, naylamp and the sican culture in inca mythology, the tumis played a crucial role in the inti raymi festival, honoring the sun god inti. During this celebration, the high priest would sacrifice a llama, using a tumi to predict the future based on the animal's entrails. In 1936, a sican tumi was discovered in the valley of batan grande, illimo, peru. Weighing 992 grams and standing 41 cm tall, this tumi is considered more of an ax than a knife and is believed to depict naylamp, the mythic hero and founder of the sican culture. Legend says that after his death, naylamp grew wings and flew into the sky. He built a temple named chot, housing the llampallec stone, a representation of himself. Sican tumis often feature bird motifs to symbolize naylamp. Portrayals of naylamp disappeared from sican art during the late sican phase (1100-1375), suggesting a cultural shift towards traditional associations with nature, including felines, fish, and birds. Today, hanging a tumi in modern peru is said to bring good luck, as it remains a national symbol of the country. See less