Everyday Life
The government managed daily life in the Inca Empire to quite a fair degree. Women were expected to marry around the ages of 14-18 and men around the ages of 25 and 30 (Robert J. Walker, 479). The Inca had communities called Ayllus. These were extended family groups that could adopt non-related members. Inside the Ayllus they would have security over farmland, educate their own children, trade and share food amongst each other. Marriage was important to help support your family and choosing a partner within a self-sustaining Ayllu was crucial (Heather Pringle). The wedding ceremony had events similar to modern day including, exchanges of gifts, feasting and dancing. A house was built for the couple so they could start their new life together and they didn't have to pay a work tax in their first year (Robert J. Walker, 479).
People of the Inca Empire had large families. A newborn baby was not to be fussed over, as soon as it was born it was wrapped in cloth and strapped to the mothers back. They didn't believe in spoiling their children. Families were used to maintain income and help with duties. Due to this children didn’t usually attend school. If you were part of the upper class girls worked in the church and boys would typically travel to receive a formal education where they were taught religion, record keeping and language but many didn't have this privilege (Dale Anderson, 47). Lower class were given jobs such as feeding animals, weeding and minding their siblings at a young age. When they were older they were taught by their parents. Boys would carry out the trade or skill that their father knew such as shepherds farmers or serve in the army and girls would learn to weave textiles, run the household, cook and pick crops (Robert J. Walker, 480). On route to the Sacred Valley outside of Cuzco we stopped at a textile centre. This was the perfect example of how the Peruvians have maintained the Inca traditions.The women showed us step by step how they achieved different textile pieces. First they would shave the llama wool and spin the fiber to create singular strands of thread. Next they would dye the strands by soaking the wool in boiling water using natural ingredients such as corn, leaves and even insects. After this process they would hang it to dry and begin the thread count. They would use the thread and begin to weave a specific pattern using a wooden stick to pull and push the fibers. These patterns had been passed down from generation to generation and included many symbols and details that were unique to each community. |
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