- Apunchic position and functions
- Politics
- Military functions
- Compliance with laws
- Commitments
- Themes of interest
- References
The Apunchic, also known as Capác Apo, was the governor of a province in the Inca Empire. In view of the importance of the position, the Apunchic reported directly to the Imperial Council and the Sapa Inca.
This expression, translated from Quechua into Spanish, would be equivalent to the title of "Sovereign Lord" or "Great Chief". Their caste was noble and they were in command of the Huamanis; that is, of the provinces that made up the empire.
According to the precepts of pre-Columbian indigenous law, the main condition for accessing power was the ability and capacity to perform the position. Therefore, the Apunchic were selected among the most courageous warriors of the Inca Empire, given the nature of their position.
Apunchic position and functions
The Apunchic resided in a stone-carved palace and performed political, military, administrative, and judicial functions.
Politics
In the political sphere, he was the leader of the province, for which he held the reins of public life, he was directly responsible for community development and for ensuring compliance with the assignments set by his superiors.
Military functions
On the military side, the Apunchic was the commander of the troops and could command them at will. He had the authority to increase the number of soldiers and to train them properly to preserve the public order of the province and the security of the state.
Likewise, he was in charge of directing the tax field, collecting the taxes that were destined for state maintenance works, by the population under his charge. It was also responsible for conducting population censuses.
The Apunchic directly supervised the management of the superintendent of channels (Yucucamayoc), the superintendent of roads (Hatun Ñan Camayoc) and the superintendent of bridges (Chaca Camayoc).
Consequently, he made decisions about the infrastructure works in his province for the maintenance of roads, bridges and irrigation canals for agriculture.
Compliance with laws
The Apunchic was also directly responsible for ensuring compliance with the Inca laws in its jurisdiction, for which judicial functions were attributed to it.
In him resided the responsibility of leading the resolution of conflicts in general, and ensuring the common good, the quality of life and the satisfaction of his people.
Commitments
The Apunchic, in its capacity as governor, had the commitment to attend the Andean festival of Inti Raymi (festival of the Sun) annually, in the city of Cuzco, capital of the Inca Empire.
This Inca celebration took place during the winter solstice, in the middle of the year, and was intended to pay tribute to the god Inti, represented by the sun.
There, he had to present the memory and account of his management before the Imperial Council, and also defend the explanatory statement directly against the Sapa Inca.
Themes of interest
What was the Tucuyricuy?
References
- The Apunchic or Capac Apo (2014). Recovered from: incasdeltahuantinsuyo.carpetapedagogica.com.
- Gonzáles, A. (2010). Inca Political Organization -Tahuantinsuyo. Recovered from: historiacultural.com.
- People in the Inca state (2016). José Carlos Mariátegui University. Moquegua, Peru. Recovered from: bv.ujcm.edu.pe.
- Rostworowski, M. (2014). History of Tahuantinsuyu. Lima Peru. Institute of Peruvian Studies.
- Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia (2017). Apunchic. Recovered from: es.wikipedia.org.