WHAT WAS THE TUCUYRICUY? - HISTORY - 2025

The tucuyricuy was a key figure within the Inca culture, since being so extensive and sophisticated, it needed supervisors with a view to all the provinces, just what this employee of the empire provided.

The Inca culture originated in the Andean area in the early 13th century, specifically in the Cuzco area, spreading along the coast of the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains to form a unique empire due to its greatness.

The power of the Incas was due to different causes, but some of the most important were:

-The unification of language. Up to 700 languages ​​coexisted in the Inca Empire until Quechua was established as the official language.

-The creative and modern principles applied to social development and the constant activity of the imperial or tucuyricuy supervisor (also called tucuirícuc, tocreicoc or tucuy ricoc) that allowed the sovereign to know everything that happened in the empire.

Without the communication tools or the means of transportation that exist today, the supreme authority of the Incas (Sapa Inca or the Inca) needed eyes and ears in all the provinces, so the role of the Tucuyricuy was vital and indispensable

Responsibilities and activities of the tucuyricuy in the Inca Empire

The tucuyricuy played an important role within the empire, and although his position was not hereditary or perpetual, he was highly respected within Inca society because he was the representative of the Sapa Inca and was only accountable to him.

Tucuyricuy functions

There was not only one tucuyricuy. The Inca appointed several of these officials with the aim of controlling every corner of his empire.

Its name means "the one who sees everything, the one who hears everything", according to its main function. However, he performed other tasks at the request of his king.

Main tasks

During the incognito trips through different regions of the empire, the tucuyricuy observed if the Inca's laws were applied correctly.

Although he never identifies himself as an official at the beginning of a visit, on many occasions he revealed his identity if necessary. At the precise moment it showed some threads that belonged to the mascaipacha or mascaypacha of the Inca, symbol of imperial power.

Another of his main functions was the collection of tribute, which he collected throughout the region under his charge and then sent it to the emperor.

The tucuyricuy was feared and respected by all the inhabitants of the empire since they saw in him the power of the Inca.

Other tasks

In addition to the functions mentioned above, the tucuyricuy fulfilled other very important tasks for the daily life of the empire in general and of people in particular.

For example, he was in charge of marrying new couples (in the marriage ceremony he was called Huarmicoco). This ceremony was held in a common space for all the couples whose members were generally between 18 and 25 years of age.

Likewise, he could act as judge and sentence him to death if he considered that the accused was guilty of a greater crime, according to the laws of the Inca.

The success of tucuyricuy

It is said that the success of this official was due to the independence he had thanks to the power that the Inca had given him, since he only had to report his actions to the emperor.

References

1. "Universal history. Inca Culture". Retrieved on: August 15, 2017 from historiacultural.com.
2. "Creativity and innovation of the Incas as a model of entrepreneurship" (2015). Lima University. Retrieved on: August 15, 2017 from ulima.edu.pe.
3. "Government control" (1998). Library system. Retrieved on: August 15, 2017 from sisbib.unmsm.edu.pe.
4. "El Tucuy Ricoc". Pedagogical Folder. Retrieved on: August 15, 2017 from incasdeltahuantinsuyo.carpetapedagogica.com.