Understanding the Inca Civilization is not an easy task. Since they did not have a written language they did not leave a written record of their history which has been passed on orally from generation to generation in the form of myths and legends. The history of the Incas is endlessly fascinating. What we know from the Inca Civilization and how they lived is from discoveries made by archeologists. Inca artifacts, tools, textiles, pottery and art have help archeologist understand their culture and how it impacts modern Andean society in Peru.

 

Archeologists use Inca art to understand their history

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The Inca Empire was the last civilization that flourished in the Andes before Francisco Pizarro entered the Inca Capital in 1532. It is puzzling to comprehend how the Incas conquered and controlled such an extensive territory that comprised what today is Peru, Chile, Bolivia, Argentina, Colombia and Ecuador. This territory was known as Tawantinsuyu or Four United Kingdoms and Cusco, the sacred city, was its capital. The Incas built the largest empire in the Americas.

 

The Inca empire extended from Ecuador in the North to Chile in the South

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From about 1200 to 1438 the empire gradually grew but starting around the year 1438 the Incas started expanding when Inca Pachacuti came to the throne. With the help of this son Topa Inca and his grandson Huayna Capac they expanded the empire controlling a vast territory known as the Tawantinsuyu. Within about fifty years they absorbed neighboring territories incorporating their culture and practices into their own societies.

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Origin of the Incas

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Before the Incas ruled Cusco there were many small tribes living peacefully in the same territory. After a long period of peace the Chanchas, a group coming from Ayacucho, tried to invade Cusco. Inca Wiracocha and his oldest son Urco afraid for their lives fled leaving his younger son Cusi Yupanqui in charge. Cusi Yupanqui and his soldiers with the help of soldiers from other tribes defended the city and prevented the Chancas from invading it. Because of his bravery and loyalty Cusi Yupanqui was named the new Inca or Emperor; he changed his name to Pachacuti which means “He who renew the world”. Many local tribes joined him as he organized and expanded the empire to the east reaching the Bolivian Altiplano and to the north reaching Ecuador.

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Myths of the origin of the Incas

The history of the origin of the Incas is mostly mythical, it is a representation of reality that helps understand the origin of their world and the forces of nature, it explains the unexplainable. Because the Incas did not have a written language myths have been passed on orally through generations. There are two main myths of the origin of the Incas: The myth of the Lake Titicaca and the myth of the Ayar brothers.

Myth of Lake Titicaca

According to the myth of the Lake Titicaca the Viracocha created a couple, Manco Capac and Mama Ocllo, who originated from Lake Titicaca. This couple had a divine goal; to head north and to settle where the golden rod sunk. After trying in many places, they arrived at Mount Guanacaure, near the city of Cusco, Peru. In this place the rod sunk and it was there where the couple settled. Manco Capac taught the men to work the land, to build canals and organizational skills; Mama Ocllo taught the women how to weave, to cook and to take care of their children. They brought peace, culture, arts and the Sun or Inti that emanated heat and power to the people.

Myth of the Ayar Brothers

The legend of the Ayar Brothers tells that the God Wiracocha created them and made them emerge from a cave in Pacaritambo in Cusco. They were four brothers: Ayar Cachi, Ayar Manco, Ayar Uchu and Ayar Auca and four sisters: Mama Guaco, Mama Cura, Mama Sarahua and Mama Ocllo. They carried with them rods made of solid gold and wore fine clothes embroidered with gold. They led a large group of people who carried seeds with them.
During their long journey to find the appropriate place to settle they arrived at the top of mount Guanacaure where Ayar Cache with one sling shot torn down hills, he had magical powers that frightened his brothers. Afraid of Ayar Cache his brothers deceived him into returning to the cave in Pacaritambo, once inside they blocked the entrance with large blocks of stone leaving him inside forever.

The rest of the brothers returned to Guanacaure where they lived for one year. One day Ayar Oche flew to the sky to talk to his father the Sun who in turn commanded him to tell Ayar Manco to change his name for Manco Capac. After carrying on his task he turned into stone. Manco Capac, Ayar Auca and the four sisters reached their destination, the valley of Cusco, where they settled and build their house where the Coricancha Temple was later built.

These books were used as bibliographical sources:

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More about the Inca Civilization

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Inca expansion and its government

The government was highly organized without the benefits of a writing system. In order to control the population of such a vast territory they created laws that were rigidly enforced.

The Inca and its family

The Sapa Inca was polygamous and he usually married his sister who was his most important wife, she was known as the Coya.

Inca religion – A religion of many Gods

Inca religion was a large melting pot of beliefs. Since the Sapa Inca was a god, religion and government were in many ways intertwined.

Cusco, the City of the Puma

The inner city of Cusco was laid out in the shape of a puma whose head was the fortress of Sacsahuaman. His body was shaped by the rivers Tulumayo and Huatanay and his tail was where both rivers meet in a place known as Pumaq Chupan.

Economy of the Inca Empire

Collective labor was the base for economic productivity and for the creation of social wealth in the Inca society.

Roads and Chasquis

Because the Inca Empire controlled such a vast territory they needed a way to communicate with all the corners of the empire. They set up a network of messengers known as Chasquis.

Inti Raymi, the celebration of the Sun

The Inti Raymi was prohibited by the Spanish during the conquest and colony claiming that it was a pagan ceremony and not in compliance with the Catholic religion.

Society in the Inca Empire

Society in the Andes was built around the ayllu. All its members had some kind of family ties, like an extended family. They all believed they were descendants of a common ancestor.

The fall of the Inca Empire

A long civil war between brothers Huascar and Atahualpa and disease brought by the Spaniards from Europe contributed to the rapid decline of the empire.

Inca Art

The Incas were an artistic people who used materials available to them in nature and blended them creating many artistic forms in utilitarian ways. Inca architecture, textile and clothing, jewelry and metallurgic, and music and dance are discussed.

Inca Law

Inca law was based in a set of believes, customs and practices established by the Sapa Inca or his representatives. Social stability in the Inca Empire was achieved by applying the laws to maintain a moral and disciplined society.

Facts about the Incas

Interesting facts about the Incas and what they achieved.

Music of the Incas

The purpose of music in this society was primarily spiritual and associated to religious rituals and wars, usually accompanied by singing that was high pitched and nasal.

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