The Social organization of the Incas Was decisive for the creation and the support of the Inca Empire, the largest one of pre-Columbian America. The administrative, political and military center of the empire was in Cuzco, part of what we know today as the territory of Peru.
It is estimated that the Inca civilization arose from the highlands of this country sometime in the early thirteenth century.
The official language of the empire was Quechua, although hundreds of local languages and dialects of this code were spoken.
There were also many local forms of worship, but the Inca leadership encouraged worship Of Inti, the sun god, and imposed its sovereignty on other cults like that of Pachamama.
The Incas considered their King, the Sapa Inca, as the"son of the sun". As ancient civilizations sprang up all over the planet thousands of years ago, Inca civilization also evolved. As with all ancient civilizations, their exact origins are unknown.
Social organization of the Incas
God Inti
Family
Inca society was formed by ayllus, who were clans of families who lived and worked together. Each allyu was supervised by a curaca or chief. The families lived in thatched houses built of stone and mud. There was no furniture and the household members sat and slept on the floor.
Potatoes were the staple food of this civilization's food. The imperial Incas dressed in alpaca garments and wore sandals.
Many of his religious ceremonies involved animals. Each style of knitting by hand was practiced by the Incas. They even used tissue as a form of writing.
Social structure
Regarding the social structure, the Incas had as leader the Sapa Inca and their wives, who exercised as rulers.
Then on the scale followed the temple priests, architects, administrators and army generals. Next were artisans, musicians, army captains and Inca counters. At the bottom were the sorcerers, the farmers, the families, and the prisoners.
The Inca society maintained this organization for a long time. The appearance of white-skinned strangers during Atahualpa's rule, however, was instrumental in forever changing the life of the Inca. And is that a deadly plague would soon cross the Inca empire and those who survived had to face the swords and cannons of the Spanish invader.
In addition, the Incas followed a strict system of social hierarchy, according to which there were four main levels, represented by the Sapa Inca, the Royalty, the Nobility and the Ayllu.
Sapa Inca
The Sapa Inca was the most powerful person during the Inca civilization and was also the king of the Incas. The Sapa Inca was considered the 'son of the sun' and was the richest and most respected person in the empire.
In addition, the Sapa Inca had numerous wives and was father many children. To begin with, he had a main wife who was known as the Coya, who was the whole sister of the Incas and who followed this tradition to keep the royal blood.
Royalty
In addition to the Sapa Inca or the King, the King's family and family were known as royalty and had a very high status in society. They were the richest and most powerful people during the Inca civilization and enjoyed all the luxuries during those days.
The descendants of the Sapa Inca were also considered royalty and had the opportunity to become kings in the future. The son of the Inca Sapa was called the Auqyi.
Nobility
Underneath royalty, there was the nobility, who were the kind of people who acted as leader to rule over the rest of the Inca population. The nobles were also respected persons who had certain privileges and enjoyed many freedoms.
For example, these people were not required to pay taxes and also received gifts from others. This class was further subdivided into three other parts, which are as follows:
A) Incas Capac: the highest rank of the nobles.
B) Incas Huhua: who were not true nobles but still were given status and rights.
C) Curacas: were the local leaders and charged taxes for it.
D) Plebeians: which were the lowest scale.
The majority of the Inca population belonged to the category of commoners. These people occupied positions of low salaries and work in the agriculture, the grazing and even like servants in the houses of the nobility or the royalty. Beyond them, the slaves came.
A short but transcendent empire
The Inca Empire was of short duration: hardly 100 years, from the year 1438 d.C, when the Inca ruler Pachacuti and its army began to conquer lands that surrounded the heart of the Cuzco , Until the arrival of the Spaniards in 1532 d.C.
The Incas of Peru always aroused a mystical fascination in the people of the Western world. Four hundred years ago they discovered the fabulous gold and silver wealth they possessed, being systematically looted by the Spanish conquerors.
The booty they stole altered the entire European economic system. And in their passage, they left a highly developed civilization made rags.
In 1438, the Inca left its base in Cuzco in a race of conquest that, during the following 50 years, placed under its control the area of present Peru, Bolivia, northern Argentina, Chile and Ecuador.
Within this area, the Inca established a totalitarian state that allowed the tribal ruler and a small minority of nobles to dominate the population.
Cuzco was the center of the Inca Empire, with advanced hydraulic engineering, agricultural techniques, wonderful architecture, ceramics and blacksmithing.
References
- Incas Social Hierarchy. (S.f.) hierarchystructure.com.
- Inca Empire Society. (S.f.) ducksters.com.
- What was the Incas' social structure? (S.f.). Reference.com.
- INCA SOCIETY (s.f.). Machupicchu-inca.com.
- The Social Organization and Language of the Incas. (S.f.). Machupicchu-inca.com.