AUQUI: ORIGIN, CHARACTERISTICS AND FUNCTIONS - HISTORY - 2025

The a uqui, in Quechua Awki, was the title granted to the heir to the throne of the Inca Empire at all times. Although, in general, the male children of the Inca were called auquis, the title as such only corresponded to the one chosen to succeed him.

Unlike in other monarchical systems, the auqui did not necessarily have to be the first-born. To be elected heir he had to show qualities that would qualify him for the position, such as courage, cunning, and warrior and religious gifts.

Macchu Picchu. Source: Charles J Sharp

Once the title was granted, the auqui received education to exercise the tasks of government. He was also part of the Royal Council and, on many occasions, came to obtain royal power by exercising a kind of joint reign with his father.

According to historians, the first to adopt this system was the Inca Pachacútec, founder of Machu Picchu. The Inca named Túpac Yupanqui auqui and allowed him to assume part of the responsibilities of government.

Origin

Like the rest of the civilizations, the Incas had to create a government organization that allowed them to rule the territory they came to dominate.

Experts say that it must have been a very efficient structure, since it was one of the largest ancient empires in the Western Hemisphere and was capable of building such splendid cities as Cuzco or Machu Picchu.

The Inca Empire, also called Tahuantinsuyo (country of the four parts of the world) originated in the 12th century AD. Its time of greatest splendor occurred three hundred years later.

Type of government

The Inca Empire was, according to the type of political organization, an absolutist and theocratic monarchy. The monarch, the Inca, was considered of divine origin and was the one who had all the power.

The Inca was, therefore, the absolute sovereign of the Tahuantinsuyo. In his person he gathered both political and religious power, so that no one disputed his orders. Despite this, experts say that he used to rule for the benefit of the people, without reaching the typical despotism of those regimes.

The seat of Inca power was in Cuzco. Each Inca built his own palace, making the city the capital of the empire.

Blood nobility

Only below the Inca was the so-called blood nobility. This was formed by the monarch's family and they enjoyed the highest social rank in the empire.

In the same way, they were the ones who accumulated the most wealth and influence, living in great luxury. The children of the Inca were part of this realization, being globally called auquis.

The auqui

Although, as noted, the auquis were all the children of the Inca, the only one who could bear that title was the one chosen to succeed him on the throne. This tradition began during the time of the Inca Pachacútec, creator of Machu Picchu, with Túpac Yupanqui the first Auqui.

Normally, the auqui heir was the eldest son of the monarch. However, this was not mandatory. Thus, there were some named among the younger brothers and even among the bastards.

In order for one of the latter to inherit, it had to go through a legitimation ceremony. This consisted in the fact that the Coya recognized the bastard son, usually of a concubine, as his own. To do this, she only had to sit him on her knees and caress his hair.

The main requisite for being appointed auqui was the qualities for leadership. Their abilities to rule were studied, paying attention to bravery, courage, and cunning. In addition, the warrior and religious skills of the heir were very important.

On the other hand, the rest of the auqui brothers were called Pihui Churi.

characteristics

When the auqui was appointed, he began to be able to use a yellow Mascapaicha. It was a thick woven cord that surrounded the head several times, being the symbol of royalty.

From that moment on, he began to be trained to perform government duties. On the one hand, he received the teachings of the most outstanding amautas (teachers). On the other hand, he sat next to his father when he made decisions to learn from his work.

Sometimes, even, the auqui could make his own decisions within the administration of the Empire. Thus began a kind of correinado that served for the heir to gain experience.

The latter not only trained him to take the reins of the State. It also served to consolidate his right to be recognized as a ruler upon the death of the Inca, demonstrating his virtues in front of others.

When the Inca died and the mortuary ceremonies were concluded, the auqui could put on the red mask. This was the insignia of the power of the empire and could only be used by the Inca.

Examples of non-firstborn auquis

Although, as noted, the auquis were all the children of the Inca, the only one who could bear that title was the one chosen to succeed him on the throne. This tradition began during the time of the Inca Pachacútec, creator of Machu Picchu, with Túpac Yupanqui being the first auqui.

Normally, the auqui heir was the eldest son of the monarch. However, this was not mandatory. Thus, there were some named among the younger brothers and even among the bastards.

In order for one of the latter to inherit, it had to go through a legitimation ceremony. This consisted in the fact that the Coya recognized the bastard son, usually of a concubine, as his own. To do this, she only had to sit him on her knees and caress his hair.

The main requisite for being appointed auqui was the qualities for leadership. Their abilities to rule were studied, paying attention to bravery, courage, and cunning. In addition, the warrior and religious skills of the heir were very important.

Panaca

The panaca was the family of each Inca, who formed a royal ayllu. It was made up of the coya, the legitimate children, brothers and descendants of a single imperial line.

The only son who was not part of the panaca was, precisely, the auqui. Being destined to be the next monarch, he had to form his own panaca.

Features

The main function of the auqui was to train to be able to take over the throne of the Empire upon the death of his father.

The Imperial Council

The Imperial Council had the function of advising the Inca. It was made up of the heads of each Suyo, the high priest, an amauta and the general the imperial army.

Apart from all these, the auqui also participated. In this way, even before taking the reins of the empire, he was part of the most important circle of his government.

Correinado

On many occasions, the auqui actively participated in the government of the Empire. The Inca allowed him to make some decisions of his own, so that he was gaining experience for when he had to assume the position permanently.

References

1. Machu Picchu Terra. Organization of the Inca Government. Obtained from boletomachupicchu.com
2. History of Peru. Political organization of the Inca Empire. Obtained from historiaperuana.pe
3. Educational Portal. The Incas. Obtained from portaleducativo.net
4. Ducksters. Inca Empire. Retrieved from ducksters.com
5. Ancient Incan Empire. The Inca Empire. Retrieved from ancientincanempire.weebly.com
6. Discover Peru. Inca Society. Obtained from discover-peru.org
7. Hirst, Kris. Cuzco, Peru. Retrieved from thoughtco.com