QUECHUA LITERATURE: HISTORY, CHARACTERISTICS AND REPRESENTATIVES - LITERATURE - 2024

The Quechua literature is the name that a series of literary events produced in the Quechua language before the arrival of the Spanish conquistadors until today is designated. The Quechua Indians, direct descendants of the Incas, have always occupied the heights of the central Andes.

The Inca Empire existed for a century before the arrival of the Spanish and was a highly developed civilization. It extended in its northern part from present-day Colombia to Chile, in its southern part, occupying an area of ​​1,800,000 km².

Monument to Jesús Lara, Quechua writer, poet and linguist

Their language, Quechua or Runa Simi (language of the people), was the dominant language. Parallel to Quechua, around 2,000 dialects were spoken throughout the Tahuantinsuyo empire. However, Quechua was the most widespread language in the Inca Empire.

On the other hand, the Spanish conquerors arrived in South America in the early 16th century. Upon meeting the Incas (around the year 1527), they were able to verify the high degree of development of their literature. A wide variety of lyrical, epic, narrative and dramatic forms were part of the cultural sample that they found upon their arrival.

At first, conquering soldiers, preachers, and colonial officials (chroniclers) collected and wrote this variety of literary manifestations. These were released in Europe initially. Currently, they are available to the rest of the world.

Origin and history

Quechua literature has the same origins and history as the vehicle for its dissemination, the Quechua language. However, it is not known for sure how the language originated. Some scholars of the subject have raised various hypotheses.

Origin on the coast

In 1911, it was proposed that the Peruvian coast was the territory where this language would have originated. According to this theory, the Quechua language had a progressive expansion that allowed it to settle in various places in the vast Andean geography, such as in the southern Peruvian highlands.

The fact that the dialects spoken in central Peru are more conserved supports this hypothesis.

Serrano and Amazonian origin

Over time other theories have emerged. Among them, the mountainous and Amazonian origins stand out, raised in 1950 and 1976, respectively. The first places the city of Cuzco as the original center of Quechua.

The second is based on this hypothesis on archaeological and architectural information. This proposes that the origin of Quechua takes place in the jungle between Chachapoyas and Macas in northern Peru.

In any case, the expansion of the Inca Empire played a preponderant role in the expansion of the language and, therefore, in literature. It is believed that the Inca kings made Quechua their official language.

With the Inca conquest of Peru in the 14th century, Quechua became the lingua franca of the empire. Although the empire lasted only about 100 years, Quechua spread to Ecuador, Bolivia, and Chile.

Characteristics of Quechua literature

Oral

Quechua literature was transmitted orally, generally in the form of songs and dances. Upon the arrival of the Spanish, the first written documents began to be registered.

This resulted in more people being able to learn about the cultural characteristics of this ethnic group. However, much of the literature referred to ancient Quechua religious ideology. This was condemned, repressed and, at times, overlooked by the European clergy because it contrasted with the Christian faith.

Sentimental and intimate

In general, Quechua literature has been characterized by being sentimental and intimate, especially poetry. His candor, and almost childishness, comes from his emotional pantheism. Pantheism is a conception of the world that equates the universe, nature and God.

Use of music and dance

On the other hand, specialists recognize a popular literature that expressed the sentiment of the people. This was transmitted accompanied by a musical group and with dances.

In it the feelings related to the sowings, the harvests, and the experiences around the daily life of the ayllu (the community) were manifested. This type of literature was in charge of the harawicus (popular poets).

Official literature

In addition, there was official literature addressed to the imperial court. In it the joy for the agrarian festivals and for the religious festivals was exalted.

The exploits of legendary heroes were also celebrated and admiration for the gods who ruled them were expressed. In the same way, they used song and dance and were performed by amautas (learned).

Representatives and works

Quechua literature was from its beginnings anonymous and oral. Therefore, all the written production that can be found corresponds to compilations made during and after the colony. Because of this, in some cases different versions of the same poem can be found.

Poetry: Kusi Paukar

Regarding poems, Dr. César Guardia Mayorga (1906-1983) stands out. Under the pseudonym Kusi Paukar, Mayorga produced a large number of works.

These include: Runap kutipakuynin (The protest of the people), Sonqup jarawiinin (The song of the heart) and Umapa jamutaynin.

Chronicles: Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala

On the other hand, in the chronicles genre, there is the work of Felipe Guaman Poma de Ayala (1534-1615). This indigenous chronicler from the time of the viceroyalty of Peru wrote, among others, La Primer nueva corónica y buen Gobierno.

It describes the injustices of the colonial regime. This document was addressed to King Felipe III of Spain, however, it got lost on the way.

Jesus Lara

Also, among the most recent artists, there is Jesús Lara (1898-1980), who developed an intense work in Quechua. In addition to being a writer, translator, anthologist and journalist, Lara was a Peruvian soldier. Some of his works include:

• Quechua popular poetry
• The literature of the Quechuas
• Myths, legends and tales of the Quechuas
• Quechua-Spanish-Quechua Dictionary

Theater

Regarding the theater genre, the following dramas stand out:

• The unfortunate Inca Huáscar, by José Lucas Capá Muñiz
• Usccja Mayta, by Mariano Rodríguez and San Pedro
• Huillca Ccori, by Nemesio Zúñiga Cazorla
• Yahuar Huacac, by José Félix Silva Ayala
• Huayna Ccahuiri, by Tobías Víctor Irrarázabal
• The voice of the Indian, by Nicanor Jara
• Catacha, by Nemesio Zúñiga Cazorla

References

1. Junior Worldmark Encyclopedia of World Cultures. (s / f). Quechua. Retrieved on February 12, 2018, from encyclopedia.com.
2. Gonzalo Segura, R. (2009, December 15). Origin and expansion of Quechua according to Alfredo Torero. Retrieved on February 12, 2018, from blog.pucp.edu.pe.
3. Thompson, I. (2015, April 29). Quechua. Retrieved on February 12, 2018, from aboutworldlanguages.com.
4. Gutierrez Cuadros, GA (2009). Pre-Hispanic Quechua Literature. Retrieved on February 12, 2018, from artedelapalabra.wordpress.com.
5. Salazar Bondy, S. (s / f). Quechua poetry. Retrieved on February 12, 2018, from revistadelauniversidad.unam.mx.
6. Husson, JP (2002). Quechua Literature. BIRA, No. 29, pp. 387-522. Retrieved on February 12, 2018, from magazines.pucp.edu.pe.