Perusa Explains the Inca Empire

Perusa Narrates

“Hello everyone! I’m Perusa, and today I’m going to tell you about my homeland, the great Inca Empire!”

“Now you might be thinking: What exactly was it? The Inca Empire was a large empire in South America. It stretched along the Andes and connected many landscapes, places, and communities.”

“And believe me, I know how strenuous such journeys can be. My friend Peruso and I sometimes secretly ran off. Only for research, of course. Well, almost only. Sometimes also because Peruso had smelled corn somewhere.”

Perusa laughed and winked at the children.

“Imagine, many places were so high in the mountains that the clouds sometimes seemed very close. Peruso once said: Perusa, the sky has a cold.”

“The empire had high mountains, sunny valleys, dry coastal landscapes, and many paths. Some were so steep that even brave people suddenly needed to look very intently at their sandals.”

“The people in the Andes built terraces into the mountain slopes. These are large steps in the terrain. Corn, potatoes, quinoa, and other plants could grow on them.”

“Terraces and water canals existed in the Andes even before the Inca Empire. The Incas used and expanded this knowledge. Without such solutions, many slopes would simply have been very pretty and quite impractical.”

“You might be wondering who ruled the empire. The supreme ruler was called the Sapa Inca.”

“The Sapa Inca stood at the head of the political and religious order. That sounds like a lot of work. And it was. I don't think he had time for mischief in the evenings. For that, he had us children.”

“The Inca Empire was not only large. It was also well organized. The road network was particularly important. It is called Qhapaq Ñan today.”

“Many of these roads were older than the Inca Empire. The Incas expanded them, connecting places, fields, administrative centers, and sacred sites.”

“Messengers ran along the paths. They were called Chasquis. A messenger didn't necessarily run alone through the entire empire. Messages could be passed from runner to runner.”

“I tried that too. After three minutes, Peruso wanted a break with cornbread. That wasn't ideal for speed.”

“There were also storehouses. They are called Qullqas. Food and other goods could be stored there. This was important when help was needed somewhere.”

“The Incas knew: an empire only functions if roads, supplies, and people are connected. If a road was broken, it had to be repaired. If a village needed help, someone had to act. If a llama was in the way, you had to wait politely. Llamas like to argue with their faces, you see.”

Perusa grinned.

“Of course, there were also gods and stories. The sun god Inti was particularly important. The sun brought light and warmth. It also played a major role in agriculture, festivals, and the line of rulers.”

“People also paid attention to mountains, water, earth, and animals. Nature was not just a backdrop. It was part of life and the religious world.”

“And then there was Cusco. Cusco was the heart of the empire. The name is often associated with navel or center. From there, important roads led in different directions.”

“Peruso says Cusco was more like the belly of the empire, because everything important ended up there. I say heart. Because from Cusco, things were governed, planned, celebrated, and remembered.”

“Many rulers came one after another. Manco Cápac is at the beginning of the old origin stories. Later, the empire was greatly expanded under rulers like Pachacútec.”

“Not every story is completely certain. The Incas did not use an alphabetic script like the Spanish. Much was told, remembered, or recorded with quipus. Later, chroniclers wrote about it.”

“That's why we have to be careful with some details. But one thing is clear: the Incas were impressive organizers, builders, and masters at dealing with difficult landscapes.”

“You will learn much more: about rulers, gods, paths, fields, festivals, and secrets. You will laugh, be amazed, and perhaps feel a little like you are walking through the high mountains of the Incas yourself.”

“Are you ready? Then tighten your sandals. In the Inca Empire, things rarely go straight.”

(c) by PeruMagazin