Inca Culture

Class Structure Top: The Emperor (Sapa Inca) and his immediate family Middle: Nobles (made up of leaders who helped run the empire) Bottom: Commoners (most people in empire were commoners)

Class Structure Capac Incas –Part of the noble class –Considered relatives of the Sapa Inca –Jobs performed were: Controlled empire’s land Controlled empire’s valuable resources (ex: llamas, coca leaves, gold, etc.)

Class Structure Curacas –Part of the noble class –Local leaders of conquered tribes –Jobs performed were: Collected taxes Worked as inspectors Had to spend time in Cuzco to learn Inca ways and customs

Class Structure Commoners –Most people in the empire belonged to this class –Worked as farmers and herders –Jobs performed were: Labor jobs (ex: men built roads; women weaved cloth)

Family Life Allyu –An Inca clan (a group of related families); the basic unit of Inca society –Land belonged to the emperor –Land was loaned to the people for living and farming –Allyu’s run by the curacas

Family Life Mit’a –Public duty tax –Taxes paid in forms of labor and goods (no form of currency)

Family Life Education –Sons of nobles were educated Had Amautas (tutors) Taught religion, geometry, history, military strategy, public speaking, and physical training Had to pass month long tests of courage, strength and discipline

Family Life Marriage –Men married in early 20; females at 16 –Some marriages were arranged by families in allyus or by the young people themselves –“Marriage Market:” Run by Curaca Men chose brides –When they agreed to marry they held hands and exchanged sandals

Religion Inti –“Sun God” –Emperor descended from Inti –Also the God of agriculture (basis of Inca life) Huacas: sacred objects and places where the spirits dwelled

Religion Believed in afterlife Religion was highly formal and required a large number of priests to conduct rituals and ceremonies Sacrifices: offered them to the Gods –Sacrificed animals usually; sometimes humans were sacrificed

Religion Divination: art in telling the future or finding hidden knowledge through religious means –Helped Incas decide what course of action to take Chosen Women –Selected as being the most beautiful, graceful, and talented girls between the ages of 8 and 10 –Lived in a convent –Studied religion –Servants to Inti

Religion Festival of the Sun – 6E 6E