- Social classes and their representatives
- - royalty
- Inca
- Coya
- Auqui
- - Nobility
- Blood nobility
- Nobility of privilege
- - Ayllu
- Mitimaes
- Yanacona
- Pineapples
- Hatun rune
- References
The social organization of the Incas was characterized by being not very flexible. The social classes that made it up were very different from each other and absolute power rested on a single man, the Inca.
Historical records indicate that there were three well-defined social classes. On one side there was royalty, which corresponded to the most powerful sector; below this were the nobles, who could be by consanguinity or privileges obtained; and finally, in the lowest line of the pyramid was the town.
The Hatun Runa, belonging to the ayllu social class, could be recruited to participate in warlike conflicts. Source: Miguel Vera León from Santiago, Chile
Despite this marked hierarchy, Inca society gave great importance to the collective, and even the idea of the group could go beyond the idea of the individual. For example, researchers indicate that the basic principles of this community were reciprocal work and the redistribution of the elements obtained as a result of that work.
The Inca Empire spread widely and covered a large amount of territory through time; This implied that they had to rule in spaces where they were not the original settlers.
Social classes and their representatives
- royalty
Inca royalty was made up of only three figures: the Inca, the coya and the auqui. We will describe the characteristics of each one below:
Inca
Inca lineages and relationship with queens of Cusco
He was also known as Sapa Inca and was the head of the government. The right to rule was dictated by the divinity, so the Inca was considered to be the direct link between men and women and the gods.
The Inca was in charge of interacting with other empires, with which he could ally or confront through war conflicts. He was also in charge of managing community resources and approving the execution of public works.
This ruler had many privileges, he chose the women with whom he lived and was the one who made the important decisions of the community.
Coya
She was the Inca's wife. According to the organization of this civilization, the Inca could have an intimate relationship with several women, but the coya was the main partner of the ruler.
It is said that the coya was part of the ruler's panaca. The panacas were those lineages that were directly connected with an Inca; they represented the presence and constant pride towards the memory of the Inca who was on the throne.
Auqui
The auqui was the next Inca, the one who would inherit the throne. According to various sources, the auqui was chosen from among the Inca's children; however, it did not necessarily have to be the first child, but could be anyone who had the necessary skills to rule.
This character was within the panaca of the ruler of the moment. Every next ruler of the Empire should be first here, and should be while the Inca was reigning.
- Nobility
In the Inca Empire, it was easy to distinguish the nobles from those who were not: the former wore large ears as a result of huge earrings that had the function of expanding the area.
The nobles enjoyed power within the Empire and could be noble by consanguinity or privilege. Below we will describe the most important characteristics of each group:
Blood nobility
They were those men belonging to the ruler's panaca, as well as the descendants of those who belonged to these lineages.
These nobles were in charge of administrative and military tasks, and they were quite numerous: it is estimated that at the end of the Inca Empire there were at least 10,000 nobles.
Nobility of privilege
The nobles of privilege were not related by blood to the Inca, but they offered services to the Empire that made them worthy of this appointment.
The Inca directly (or also members of his close circle) was the one who promoted a man to a nobleman of privilege. Within this category were priests and officials.
- Ayllu
This level of Inca organization included the largest number of inhabitants. It was about the community as such, made up of the different people who lived in the Empire and who carried out the tasks that guaranteed its operation.
The general feeling was that all the members of the ayllu were descendants of a common ancestor, which generated in them the willingness to work together and with values of solidarity.
Within this category there were groups that fulfilled different functions; Among these, the mitimaes, the yanaconas, the piñas and the hatun rune stand out.
Mitimaes
They were family groups that moved to other areas by order of the Empire to colonize and administer the colonized spaces. These families directed the economic, cultural, social and political spheres of the new subdued territory.
Some sources indicate that they had few freedoms and that they had to fulfill their functions until the Empire decided otherwise.
Yanacona
They were slaves for the exclusive use of the nobles. They carried out agricultural and livestock work for them, and did not consider themselves linked to another social group. The children of the yanaconas inherited this condition.
Pineapples
They were also slaves, but they were considered more dangerous. Within this category were included those who rose up against the Empire; for this they were treated with less consideration, as they were constantly punished for having made that decision.
They were prisoners of war who were unable to admit that they had been defeated by the Empire. Both the prisoner's wives and children were considered pineapples, and they were all assigned difficult tasks in unhealthy environments.
There are records that indicate that the State even granted them some land so that they could survive with their own work. Likewise, some pineapples could become yanaconas whenever a nobleman made the decision to promote him.
Hatun rune
The Hatun Rana were the bulk of the population and were especially in charge of agricultural, livestock and fishing activities. Without deciding for themselves, they could be used for government land work or to participate in military exercises.
The State was assigning responsibilities to the Hatun Runa from an early age, and these were increasing as the men approached the age of majority. When they married, they went on to serve the state exclusively for the rest of their lives.
References
- "Inca Empire" in Wikipedia. Retrieved on October 17, 2019 from Wikipedia: wikipedia.org
- "Social organization in the Inca Empire" in History of Peru. Retrieved on October 17, 2019 from History of Peru: historiaperuana.pe
- "Political and social organization" at Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile. Retrieved on October 17, 2019 from Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile: uc.cl
- "The Inca Empire: social organization" in El Popular. Retrieved on October 17, 2019 from El Popular: elpopular.pe
- "Inca society" in Discover Peru. Retrieved on October 17, 2019 from Discover Peru: discover-peru.org
- "Incas Social Hierarchy" in Hierarchy Structure. Retrieved on October 17, 2019 from Hierarchy Structure: hierarchystructure.com