The Inca Civilization: History, Society, and Culture
The Inca culture occupied the area previously inhabited by the Tiahuanaco culture, estimated to have begun around 1200 AD. According to historical tradition, the Incas arrived in the region now known as Peru, which was then inhabited by the Quechua and the Chanca peoples. They subsequently mixed with these groups and adopted the Quechua language. This culture was located in the territory of countries such as Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile, and part of northeast Argentina. As a whole, the Inca empire encompassed more than 3500 km in north-south extension. This culture began to take shape around the 12th century.
One of the most important rulers of this empire was Pachacutec Inca Yupanqui, who ruled in the mid-fifteenth century. He is credited with significant improvements and social policies, including the implementation of Quechua as an official language and the start of expansion into Chile. He also oversaw the elaboration of a census, which allowed for the organization of the population and property. The institution of mitimaes, or settlers, was established, with the aim of teaching conquered peoples Inca customs and the Quechua language.
Social Structure of the Incas
The highest authority of the Inca empire was the Sapa Inca, considered the child of the sun. The empire was divided into four regions, with the city of Cusco as its center.
The regions dominated by the Incas were ruled by chiefs, also called curacas. To maintain the unity of their empire, they used the mitimaes.
The Incas maintained order through the construction of military fortifications known as pucarás. Examples include:
- Rio Maipo (domination)
- Rio Maule (exploration)
The entire Inca Empire was linked by a network of roads radiating from the city of Cuzco. Along these roads were tambos or tambillos, which were inns providing food and blankets. These inns were for royal officials and messengers, known as chasquis.
Inca Religion
The Incas were believers in astronomical gods (sun, rain, wind). The high priest was the Villac Umu, who led all religious activities.
Sun worship was the most prominent, but the Incas never tried to impose their religion by force. Instead, they respected local deities in each of the conquered areas. The worship of ancestors was also significant, and they believed in life after death. Some of their deities were:
- Viracocha: Creator of the universe, humanity, and earth
- Inti: The god most adored by the Incas, the founder of the Inca dynasty
- Killa: Moon Goddess, wife of Inti
- Mama Cocha: Mother of water
- Pacha Mama: Mother Earth
They built religious centers in the hills to worship the sun.
Inca Culture
The Inca world’s organization had the family as its basic unit, known as the ayllu. From this foundation, they built a highly relevant empire. The Incas were farmers and cultivated crops such as potatoes, corn, quinoa, beans, squash, and chili. To develop these products, they used the terrace system, building canals, aqueducts, and reservoirs.
Livestock
They raised auquénidos livestock [llamas, alpacas, and vicuñas (they did not eat their meat)] and only used them as a means of transport (they were considered sacred). They only ate meat from rodents, guinea pigs, and dogs. The Incas also excelled in medicine, mainly in the removal of tumors through the technique of trepanation, which involved making a hole in the skull, extracting the tumors, and then covering the opening with gold and silver. They used coca leaves and chicha de maíz (corn beer). They excelled in mathematics and used an accounting system known as the quipu, which consisted of knotted strings where each knot represented a number, allowing them to conduct censuses.