Cusco – When people look back to the history of the Inca Empire, there is an interesting search for the connection of that bygone era to the present day practices and cultural influences in the Latin American community. With its stunning ruins and beautiful geological wonders, there is no doubt that a lively and flourishing community once existed in the Andean region. Although experts first thought these ancient people did not have any form of script or picture writing, they have a unique language system called Quechua that remains an active form of communication in the area.
Language of History
Speaking the same language is an important factor in knowing and understanding the groups in a region that share a similar pre-Hispanic history and tradition. The local speakers call it Runa Simi, which means “the language of the people.” Even though the Quechua tops the ethnic groups in the region based on population, it is more than an age-old tongue. They are a distinctly large ethnic group that lives in the Andean region of Argentina, Bolivia, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru and are considered the direct descendants of the Incas. Language binds them and reflects the striking influence of the Incas as well as the continuing growth of their ethnicity.
Each indigenous population around the globe is unique. This also applies to the Quechua. More than a collective term for various ethnic groups that used the same language, it is also an important element in understanding their culture. As researchers uncover more of the history and different events of the past, the stories and the beliefs of the empire come to life as the people learn about the system destroyed by the Spanish invasion.
Tales of Courage and Survival
Listen to their stories and see the events of the past. Their words also show the way they see and record their own history, culture, and perspective of the world. Many may wonder how such a developed form of social system flourished only to be destroyed. Stories and myths are a great part of showing the feelings about the old Inca Empire. With no known writing system at the time, the myths have been passed on and are preserved through their rich oral tradition. Many of the stories tell the origin of the different ethnic groups, or of lakes, mountain, and rivers. Through this practice, some of the elements and distinguishing features of the ancient civilization are observed.
One of the most popular tales is that of the last rebel, Tupac Amaru, who was beheaded by the Spaniards and had his head stuck on a pike placed in the Cuzco plaza. When Tupac’s head disappeared, the Quechuas believe that it was buried and has been slowly growing its body back. The completion of the body will then signal the return of the Incas to rule their land.
Urbanization and Migration
Latin America and other nearby lands are not free from the effects of growing urban development. Each country and its residents face an ideal opportunity to expand and to create a lasting relationship with other nations. In the past decades, a large number of Quechua moved to Lima to grab these chances of better living and reach out to a wider community. Now, with this type of migration and thinking, the capital of Peru has a large indigenous and mixed-race (mestizo) population.
Screengrab from Pedro Lastra flickr, https://www.flickr.com/photos/lastingimages/9573959901/in/set-721576352605100799
