The Incas are such a dynamic culture. They are the group of people you think of when you are asked about Indigenous people in Peru. However, as I am here in Lima, I learned that the Incas can thank the Spaniards for their popularity. The Incas had many influences from tribes before them, and even from the tribes they had conquered. In my first set of books, I focused my research and the creation story that the Incas had, while in my second book, I looked at the Incas were influenced throughout their time.
The one major influence that I found most interesting was the Incas way of dealing conquering. When the Incas overtook a new tribe, they took that tribes culture, and found a way to include their beliefs in the Incan religion. The tribe that was conquered had to give up their religion, but the Inca took the gods that didn't conflict with their gods, and included those gods in their worship. The new gods weren't as highly celebrated however. I found this fact interesting because I think it shows a trait that the Incas have. I think it shows that the Incas were really passionate about how they viewed the world in that they worshiped everything possible. It also shows that the Inca don't value violence.
While in Peru, we went to a museum called Museo Larco. The museum had many artifacts. One of the interesting things I learned was that the Incas, although a brilliant civilization, can credit the Spaniards for being known as Peru's major tribe. The Incas were the culture that was around when the Spanish came over to the new world. It is amazing to think that the book I read for this project was thanks to the Spanish. Had they came after or before the Inca era, I may have been studying a different group of people right now.
It seems like you learned some really interesting things about the Incas while you were in Peru. It's so cool that you were able to visit the country that they inhabited, and I think that has made you a lot more knowledgeable about their culture. I never knew that the Incas incorporated a lot of the religions and customs of the people they conquered into their own way of life, but I think that's really fascinating. Do you know which beliefs they specifically took from other cultures? Also, how many total tribes did they conquer? You're study a really cool group of people, and youre research paper is going to be very interesting!
ReplyDeleteI find it very interesting how the incas overtake other tribes, it's almost as if they believe in their religion so deeply that they feel as if other tribes should diligently follow the Inca religion, but not let go of their own religion that they've followed throughout their whole lives. It's amazing that you had the opportunity to visit the country that is the route of the Inca people. If the spanish had come before or after the inca people, do you have any idea what culture you would be studying? And also, what exactly is the religion of the Inca people?
ReplyDeleteI think it is great how you choose a topic that relates to your trip to Peru so much. I'm jealous! Peru is beautiful and to see in person the culture and place of the Incas was probably amazing for you. What are some other things you learned on your trip that will add to your paper? I'm very excited to learn more about your travels. It is also interesting how the Spanish had a big impact on their culture as well, I wonder if they would be a totally different civilization if they had no Spanish impact. I'm excited to see your paper!!
ReplyDeleteI think that is awesome that you got the opportunity to go to Peru and have a first hand experience of where the Inca lived and what they were like! This seems like it will really help you with your research. I find it interesting that the Spanish made the Inca famous. Do you think you will further research the Spanish and their conquer of the Inca? I am excited to see where your research takes you.
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