WHO WERE THE HATUNRUNAS? - HISTORY - 2025

The Hatunrunas were a group of common men who were part of the social system of the Inca Empire. Its population was divided into two parts: the yanaconas, individuals who were placed at the service of the kings; and the mitimaes, hatunrunas capable of raising cattle, serving in the military, and engaging in fishing and handicrafts.

The Hatunrunas were workers since they were young, before reaching their majority they had to help their parents in all the chores of the home and the field, depending on their age and sex.

Machu Picchu, ancient Andean Inca town.

Girls helped their mothers and boys their fathers. Everything that the hatunrunas did was strictly ordered and evaluated by the Inca State.

The Hatunrunas were, above all, farmers and ranchers. They had, as in feudal times, payment for their daily labors in food for their home and clothing for their family, and not in money or coins.

The Hatunrunas were undoubtedly the workforce of the Inca Empire and thanks to them, the Incas were able to advance as a society.

Main characteristics and life stages of the hatunrunas

As part of a society, the Hatunrunas had customs, rites, ceremonies, and religion. They were part of the Incas, but at the same time they had a different culture than the rest of the peoples and ethnic groups, with characteristics of their own lifestyle, location and knowledge.

Here are the most important characteristics of the hatunrunas.

Beginning of life

The Hatunruna women were strong, they did not allow themselves to be carried away by pain. When a pregnant woman went to give birth, she simply went to the nearest river and squatted down, pushed until she had the baby in her arms.

Once out of the womb, the same woman bathed the newborn in the river water and cut its umbilical cord in one bite.

After that, to avoid infections in the little one, the woman spread a kind of herbal ointment with antiviral and antibacterial effect.

Immediately after giving birth, the woman continued with her daily chores, whether it was fishing, cooking, or less fatal things like doing laundry. Hatunruna women were an example of firmness before society.

Children received his name when they got home. Usually a baby's name corresponded to its most prominent physical feature or the place where it was delivered.

Child life

The Hatunruna infants were suckled from the ground, that is, their mother did not pick them up. The baby was also not held or helped to walk.

When a child of about a year (average age at which he began to take steps) began to walk, his parents would dig a hole in the ground and put him up to the waist.

It was believed that pampering or spoiling a child would make him a weak man, so children were treated strictly even from a young age.

When they were old enough to help their parents in the common tasks imposed by the hierarchs of the Inca Empire, then the boys accompanied their fathers and the girls their mothers.

From a young age, the way of learning was through observation, example and repetition of the same actions as their predecessors.

While the girls learned to weave, cook, pick flowers, wash in the river, and even fish. Children learned to hunt, fight, raise livestock, grow plants, and other stronger activities.

The Hatunrunas, in certain cases, considered themselves well-paid slaves by the nobles. Although their tasks were arduous and continuous, they did not lack food, clothing, or a hut to shelter in.

Coming of age

When they came of age, Hatunruna women had to marry, it was a law. The formation of new homes every 18 years allowed the Hatunrunas to fight the deaths of the war and provided the Inca Empire with a large young population, suitable for heavy construction jobs, and other jobs that demanded labor.

For their part, men married, yes and only yes, they returned from war. Usually by age 25. Thus, an annual ceremony was held where all 25-year-old men and 18-year-old women were randomly matched.

Alternative marriage

Apart from the communal marriage ceremony that was Inca custom, the Hatunrunas had an alternative marriage in which the man chose a woman and lived with her for a time.

In this way, the men determined whether the woman they chose was good at housework. If it was good, they married.

Whatever the method of marriage, the Hatunrunas could only have one wife. Polygamists were punished with death.

The right to polygamy was only held by the kings and leaders of the government.

Activity of older adults

The Hatunrunas lived in a monotonous way, carrying out their daily activities unequivocally until the middle of their lives. When they turned 50, they retired from military service because they no longer had the strength, vitality and endurance that the Inca Empire required.

Likewise, the service they rendered to the Inca government was diminished, whether as ranchers, farmers, fishermen, hunters, masons or potters.

Men owned their homes and their utensils and tools, yet they did not own the land they inhabited. These spaces and lands belonged to the State and the State lent them to the Hatunrunas for their comfort, in gratitude for the years of service.

In the same way, having diminished the services towards the Inca Empire also diminished the food and clothes.

However, the governors created a system by which they could feed the adults and provide them with at least the minimum sustenance to avoid calamities, disease and death.

Furthermore, by the age of 50, the vast majority of the Hatunrunas had young children who served and worked, with the children helping their parents.

Last years of the hatunrunas

At the end of Hatunruna life, both men and women enjoyed festivals and religious ceremonies that lasted for several days.

Old age meant rest and rejoicing for them, after having lived hard and busy. It was popular for the festivities to drink "acja", an alcoholic drink made from corn.

Older adults, although they had fun and rested from arduous tasks, did not stop working. They had to make ropes and bags, raise small animals, and correct children.

References

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