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Funeral of King Sinchi Roca I

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Funeral of King Sinchi Roca I

From top to bottom, left to right; top row: (1) The King lays in state at the Templo Nacional de Inti, (2) Motorcade departing Cárdenas; bottom row: (3) the display platform for the casket readied for arrival at the Fields of Inti; (4) the King's casket arrives at the Royal Mausoleum of Parap.
Date
  • Death: 2.XIV.1735 AN
  • Funeral: 12-16.XIV.1735 AN
Location Nouvelle Alexandrie
Type State funeral
Cause Natural causes

Sinchi Roca I died on 2.XIV.1735 AN at the Palace of Carranza in Cárdenas, FCD, at the age of 73. Sinchi Roca's death set in motion the most recent version of Operation Sunshine, a funeral plan first devised in 1719 AN. Sinchi Roca's coffin lay at rest at the Templo Nacional de Inti in Cárdenas from 12 to 13.XIV 1735 AN, after a procession from the Templo to Parap, Wechua Nation, where it will be buried in the Royal Mausoleum of Parap. The journey from Cardenas to Parap, covering a distance of 1,988.7 km, involves a procession along the route that stops at the Shrine of the Ancestors, crosses the Bridge of Sighs, conducts the holy vigil at the Plains of Inti. The King's body travelled by a specially-designed funeral car and later a carriage, arriving in Parap in 16.XIV.1735 AN. An estimated 133,000 people filed past the King's coffin in Cárdenas, and approximately 877,900 people queued to pay their respects in Parap and 218,540 in the Plains of Inti. Nouvelle Alexandrie observed a national mourning period of 10 days.

Sinchi Roca I's state funeral on 16.XIV.1735 AN. A funeral service was held at the Cathedral of Viracocha, followed by a procession to the Royal Mausoleum of Parap which featured around 13,000 military personnel and was watched by approximately twelve million people in central Parap. The state hearse then transported the King's coffin to the Royal Mausoleum, followed by another procession through the Mausoleum Park and a committal service at the Holy Royal Chapel. The King was interred later that evening in a private service attended only by close family.

Designated as a public holiday in Nouvelle Alexandrie and Oportia, the state funeral included dignitaries from around Micras and featured the largest domestic security operation ever mounted in Nouvelle Alexandrie. Coverage of the state funeral was one of the most watched special television broadcasts in Nouvelle Alexandrie and Oportia. The period of official mourning and the funeral was estimated to have cost the government €162 million ecu.

Ceremony

The state funeral of King Sinchi Roca I of Nouvelle Alexandrie took place on 16.XIV.1735 AN, marking the culmination of a 10-day national mourning period. The ceremony began with a solemn funeral service at the Cathedral of Viracocha in Parap, attended by dignitaries from around Micras. The service, which lasted approximately two hours, incorporated elements of both Wechua traditions and Alexandrian Nazarene rituals.

Following the service, a grand procession featuring around 13,000 military personnel marched through central Parap. An estimated twelve million people lined the streets to pay their final respects to the late king. The procession was led by members of the royal family, with King Sinchi Roca II, Sinchi Roca's successor, walking behind the state hearse carrying his father's coffin.

Burial

The burial process for King Sinchi Roca I was a five-day journey from Cárdenas to Parap, covering a distance of 1,988.7 km. This journey, part of Operation Sunshine (a funeral plan first devised in 1719 AN), was designed to allow citizens across the nation to pay their respects and participate in the mourning process.

Day 1: Departure from Cárdenas

The procession began on 12.XIV.1735 AN at the Palace of Carranza in Cárdenas, where the King had passed away ten days earlier. At precisely 9:00 AM, the king's coffin, draped in the royal standard of Nouvelle Alexandrie, was solemnly carried by eight members of the Federal Royal Guards from the palace's Grand Hall to a specially-designed funeral car waiting in the courtyard. The guards, dressed in their distinctive crimson and gold uniforms, moved with measured steps as a mournful rendition of the national anthem played softly in the background.

An estimated 133,000 people had filed past the king's coffin as it lay in state at the Templo Nacional de Inti in Cárdenas over the previous two days. Now, as the funeral car prepared to depart, the streets of the capital were lined with hundreds of thousands more, standing shoulder to shoulder in respectful silence.

At 10:00 AM, the funeral car, a specially modified limousine painted in royal purple and adorned with gold trim, began its slow journey through the city. It was accompanied by a motorcade of 50 vehicles carrying dignitaries, royal family members, and security personnel. As the procession moved at a stately pace of 15 kilometers per hour, the crowd's composure began to break. Many spectators openly wept as the car carrying their beloved monarch passed by. In a poignant tribute, mourners threw white roses - King Sinchi Roca's trademark flower - onto the path of the funeral car. The roses, sourced from the Royal Botanical Gardens where the late king often spent his leisure time, created a fragrant carpet of white that stretched for kilometers along the route.

The emotional scene was punctuated by the tolling of church bells throughout the city. Every church in Cárdenas, from the grand Cathedral of Saint Sebastian to the smallest chapel, rang their bells in unison at precisely 11:00 AM, creating a haunting melody that echoed across the capital. As the procession reached the city limits at 2:00 PM, a formation of 21 fighter jets from the Federal Air Force performed a ceremonial flyover. The jets, flying in a 'missing man' formation, left a trail of purple, white, and gold smoke in the sky above the funeral car.

The first day's journey concluded at sunset, with the funeral car and its procession reaching the town of San Miguel de Tucapel, where it would rest for the night before continuing its solemn journey to Parap the following day. As darkness fell, thousands of candles were lit along the route, their flickering lights a testament to the enduring love the people held for their departed king.

Day 2: Tribute at the Shrine of the Ancestors

On 13.XIV.1735 AN, the second day of the royal funeral procession, the cortège reached the Shrine of the Ancestors, a sacred Wechua site located 487 kilometers northwest of Cárdenas. The funeral car, carrying the body of King Sinchi Roca I, arrived at the shrine precisely at 10:00 AM, greeted by the haunting sounds of pututus (traditional Wechua horns) echoing across the valley.

The Shrine of the Ancestors, a terraced pyramid structure dating back to the times of the ancient Wechua state, had been prepared for this solemn occasion. Its stone steps were carpeted with red and gold textiles, the colors of the House of Inti. Atop the pyramid, a circular platform had been constructed to host the day's ceremonies.

At 10:30 AM, eight Wechua spiritual leaders, known as Willaq Umu, ascended the pyramid carrying the king's coffin. They were followed by King Sinchi Roca II, other members of the royal family, and high-ranking clergy from the Autocephalous Nazarene Church of Alexandria. The coffin was placed at the center of the platform, where it would remain for the duration of the ceremony.

The tribute began at 11:00 AM with a traditional Wechua rite called Pachamama Raymi. The Willaq Umu offered coca leaves, chicha, and other sacred items to Pachamama and the spirit of King Sinchi Roca I. This was followed by the burning of kipu, a ceremonial bundle containing symbols of the late king's achievements and personal belongings. At noon, the Archbishop of Cárdenas led a Nazarene prayer service, incorporating elements of Wechua spirituality. The Archbishop blessed the coffin with holy water and incense, while Wechua musicians played traditional instruments such as the quena and charango.

Throughout the ceremony, which lasted until 3:00 PM, the public was allowed to view the proceedings from designated areas surrounding the shrine. An estimated 250,000 people gathered, many having traveled great distances to pay their respects. The crowd maintained a respectful silence, broken only by occasional quiet sobs and the whispered prayers of mourners.

As the ceremony concluded, members of the public were invited to approach the base of the pyramid to leave offerings. A wide array of items were presented, including:

  • White roses, continuing the tribute from Cárdenas;
  • Small Wechua textiles, handwoven with symbols representing the late king's reign;
  • Letters and poems expressing gratitude for the king's service;
  • Traditional foods and drinks, symbolizing the sharing of a meal with the departed;
  • Personal effects such as photographs and handcrafted items.

The offering of gifts continued well into the evening, with the last mourners leaving their tributes at 9:00 PM. As night fell, a vigil began, with thousands of candles illuminating the shrine and surrounding area. The funeral car remained at the site overnight, guarded by members of the Federal Royal Guards, while ceremonial fires were kept burning atop the pyramid.

Day 3: Crossing the Bridge of Sighs

On 14.XIV.1735 AN, the third day of the funeral procession, the cortège reached the Wayq'a Chaka, or the Bridge of Sighs at 11:00 AM. This iconic structure, spanning the Hunapu River gorge, is a marvel of Wechua engineering and spirituality. Constructed in 1602 AN, the bridge is 372 meters long and rises 218 meters above the river. Its name derives from the whistling sound produced by wind passing through the intricately carved stone parapets, reminiscent of sighing souls.

The Bridge of Sighs is constructed of locally quarried granite blocks, held together without mortar using the traditional Wechua technique of ashlar masonry. The bridge's surface is paved with smooth river stones arranged in intricate mosaic patterns depicting scenes from Wechua mythology. Two stone archways, one at each end of the bridge, are adorned with relief sculptures representing the realms of the living and the dead. As the funeral car approached the bridge at 11:30 AM, a hush fell over the estimated 500,000 spectators gathered on both sides of the gorge. The vehicle paused before the first archway as Wechua priests performed a brief cleansing ritual, burning palo santo wood and sprinkling chicha on the path ahead.

At precisely noon, signaled by the blow of a pututu (Wechua horn), the funeral car began its solemn journey across the bridge. Moving at a ceremonial pace of 5 kilometers per hour, the procession was accompanied by a spectacular display of sight and sound. A choir of 200 voices, positioned along the bridge's length, began singing, alternating between traditional Wechua laments and Nazarene hymns. Their voices echoed hauntingly through the gorge, creating a powerful auditory backdrop to the visual spectacle unfolding around them. Simultaneously, spectators on the bridge and along the gorge's edges scattered millions of flower petals. The petals, a mixture of white roses (King Sinchi Roca's favorite) and red cantuta (the national flower of the Wechua Nation), created a swirling storm of color around the funeral car. Adding to the visual display, fifty Wechua dancers, dressed in traditional mourning attire, performed a solemn dance known as the Wañuy Tusuy (Dance of Death) along the bridge's length. Their graceful movements contrasted with the stillness of the funeral car, symbolizing the continuing cycle of life and death.

The crossing took exactly one hour, with the funeral car reaching the far side of the bridge at 1:00 PM. As it passed through the second archway, a final pututu blast signaled the end of the ceremony. The archway itself seemed to "weep" as a hydraulic mechanism, designed centuries ago, released a curtain of water from the top of the arch, symbolizing the bridge's namesake sighs.

Following the crossing, the funeral procession paused for a two-hour rest period, allowing the gathered mourners to cross the bridge themselves. Many left small offerings or touched the wheels of the funeral car for good fortune. The day's journey concluded at sunset in the town of Qosqo, where the funeral car and its entourage remained for the night. The crossing of the Bridge of Sighs, with its blend of ancient tradition and carefully choreographed ceremony, served as a powerful symbol of King Sinchi Roca I's passage from the world of the living to the realm of the ancestors. It reinforced the deep spiritual and cultural significance of the funeral journey, touching the hearts of millions of Nouvelle Alexandrie's citizens who watched the event in person or via national broadcast.

Day 4: Gathering at the Plains of Inti

On 15.XIV.1735 AN, the fourth day of the funeral procession, the cortège arrived at the Plains of Inti at 10:00 AM. This vast, sacred expanse, covering approximately 50 square kilometers, has been a site of spiritual significance for the Wechua people for millennia. The plains, characterized by their golden grasslands and scattered megalithic structures, provided a dramatic backdrop for the day's events. At the center of the plains, a circular platform measuring 100 meters in diameter had been constructed. Made of polished granite and inlaid with gold in intricate Wechua and Alexandrian patterns, the platform was designed to accommodate the late king's coffin and allow mourners to circulate around it. The funeral car arrived at this platform at precisely noon, marking the beginning of a 24-hour public vigil.

Throughout the day, an estimated 218,540 people gathered on the plains to pay their respects. The crowd, diverse in age and social status, reflected the broad appeal of King Sinchi Roca I across Nouvelle Alexandrie's population. As dusk fell, mourners lit candles, transforming the plains into a vast sea of flickering lights stretching to the horizon. The vigil was punctuated by a series of cultural performances. Wechua musicians played traditional instruments such as the quena, charango, and zampoña, their melodies intertwining with Nazarene hymns sung by the Royal New Alexandrian Choir. Wechua dancers performed the solemn Ayarachi dance, their movements telling the story of life, death, and rebirth.

Throughout the night, readings from both Wechua oral traditions and Nazarene scriptures were delivered by spiritual leaders and notable public figures. These readings, broadcast nationwide, emphasized themes of unity, service, and the continuity of life that had characterized King Sinchi Roca I's reign. The public was allowed to file past the coffin throughout the night, with the queue at times stretching for over 5 kilometers. Many mourners left small offerings: flowers, handwritten notes, and traditional Wechua textiles. By dawn on the fifth day, an estimated 150,000 people had paid their personal respects at the coffin.

Day 5: Arrival in Parap

The final day of the funeral procession, 16.XIV.1735 AN, began at sunrise with a traditional Wechua ceremony honoring the sun god Inti. At 7:00 AM, the funeral car departed the Plains of Inti for the final leg of its journey to Parap, the cultural heart of the Wechua Nation and the second largest city in Nouvelle Alexandrie. As the procession entered Parap at 11:00 AM, it was greeted by crowds that had swelled the city's population to nearly double its usual size. An estimated 877,900 people lined the streets, many having waited through the night to secure a viewing spot. The funeral car proceeded slowly along the 12-kilometer route from the city limits to the funeral service held at the Cathedral of Viracocha.

At the Qhapaq Ñan (the central avenue of Parap), the motorized funeral car was replaced by a horse-drawn carriage for the final 2 kilometers. This carriage, a masterpiece of Wechua craftsmanship gilded with gold and silver, was pulled by eight black horses, each adorned with plumes in the colors of the Nouvelle Alexandrie flag. After the funeral service at the Cathedral of Viracocha, the carriage arrived at the Royal Mausoleum of Parap at 4:30 PM. This imposing structure, built in 1632 AN, combines Wechua architectural elements with Nazarene influences. Its golden dome, visible throughout Parap, gleamed in the afternoon sun as the coffin was carried inside by members of the Federal Royal Guards.

A committal service was held in the mausoleum's Holy Royal Chapel at 5:30 PM. This service, attended by 200 close family members and select dignitaries, was led jointly by the Willaq Umu (high priest of the Wechua faith) and the Archbishop of Cárdenas. The 90-minute service incorporated elements from both Wechua and Nazarene traditions, mirroring the interfaith nature of King Sinchi Roca I's reign.

The actual interment took place at 9:00 PM in a private ceremony attended only by immediate family members. King Sinchi Roca I was laid to rest in the crypt in the Holy Royal Chapel, alongside his ancestors, in a sarcophagus of Cibolan granite adorned with Wechua symbols and Nazarene iconography.

This final act marked the end of the five-day journey and the official 10-day mourning period. Across Nouvelle Alexandrie, church bells tolled and a minute of silence was observed at 10:00 PM to honor the late king's memory.

Cost and Economic Impact

The entire funeral process, from the king's death to his interment, was estimated to have cost the government €162 million ecu. It was described as the largest domestic security operation ever mounted in Nouvelle Alexandrie, involving over 20,000 police officers and military personnel. The funeral of King Sinchi Roca I was a significant economic event for Nouvelle Alexandrie, with both direct costs and broader economic impacts.

Government Expenditure

The entire funeral process, from the king's death to his interment, was estimated to have cost the government €162 million ecu. This figure included:

  • €45 million for security operations;
  • €38 million for the construction and preparation of ceremonial sites;
  • €29 million for transportation and logistics;
  • €25 million for media coverage and public communications;
  • €25 million for ceremonial costumes, artifacts, and other cultural elements.

The funeral was described as the largest domestic security operation ever mounted in Nouvelle Alexandrie, involving over 20,000 police officers and military personnel. This massive deployment ensured the safety of both the royal family and the millions of mourners who attended the various ceremonies.

Economic Disruption

The 10-day mourning period had a significant impact on the economy of Nouvelle Alexandrie. The Department of Treasury estimated that the work stoppages and business closures during this period resulted in a 0.2% reduction in the country's quarterly GDP, equivalent to approximately €1.2 billion ecu.

Memorabilia and Tourism

The funeral also generated significant economic activity in certain sectors. Sales of commemorative items and memorabilia surged, with an estimated €275 million ecu in revenue generated from official merchandise alone. The hotel industry in Cárdenas, Parap, and cities along the funeral route reported 100% occupancy rates, generating an additional €220 million ecu in revenue. Long-term tourism is expected to benefit, with the Department of Education, Culture and Sports projecting a 15% increase in visitors to sites associated with the funeral over the next five years.

Television Broadcast

The television broadcast of King Sinchi Roca I's state funeral became one of the most-watched special television events in the history of both Nouvelle Alexandrie and Oportia. In Nouvelle Alexandrie, an estimated 238 million viewers (representing nearly 70% of the nation's population) tuned in for the final day's proceedings. In Oportia, approximately 10.5 million viewers (70% of the nation's population) watched the broadcast. Internationally, the funeral was broadcast in dozens of countries, with a total estimated global audience of 500 million.

The National Broadcasting Corporation (NBC) provided the primary feed for the event, utilizing 500 cameras positioned along the funeral route, 30 helicopter-mounted cameras for aerial coverage, and 20 drone cameras for close-up and unique angle shots. A team of 1,500 technicians and 100 commentators provided round-the-clock coverage. The broadcast was streamed live on various online platforms, garnering an additional 150 million views worldwide.

Cultural Significance

This unprecedented viewership underlined the significance of the event and the widespread affection for King Sinchi Roca I, whose 17-year reign had overseen a period of cultural renaissance and economic growth in Nouvelle Alexandrie. The broadcast itself became a cultural touchstone, with many New Alexandrians and Oportians reporting that watching the funeral together created a sense of shared grief and respect for the late king. Sociologists from the Royal University of Parap noted that the shared experience of viewing the funeral broadcast may have long-lasting effects on national identity and cohesion in Nouvelle Alexandrie, as well as strengthening diplomatic ties with Oportia.

Media Impact

The success of the broadcast had several notable impacts on the media landscape. The NBC reported a 25% increase in public trust following its coverage of the event in a poll conducted with the Institute of Public Opinion. Advertising revenues for the NBC surged, with the corporation reporting a €380 million ecu windfall from funeral-related programming. Oportian broadcasters who partnered with NBC for the event reported a 15% increase in viewership for their regular programming in the weeks following the funeral.

The funeral broadcast of King Sinchi Roca I thus not only served as a moment of national mourning for Nouvelle Alexandrie but also as a significant media event with lasting cultural, technological, and economic implications for both Nouvelle Alexandrie and Oportia. The shared viewing experience also highlighted the strong cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations.

Attendance

Guests of note

Domestic

International

Legacy

See also

References

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