Inca Government Structure
The Inca Government is centered in the Inca capital of Cuzco. The empire is divided into four quarters, each ruled by a governor that was born into a noble family. These four governors made up the Supreme Council of the Inca Empire that reported directly to the emperor.
Each village in the Empire is divided several groups of ten families each. There is a head of one family in each group that governs the rest of the group. Each group leader serves the Curaca, or chief that is responsible for one hundred families. Each of the Curacas reported to Inca nobles that reported to the governors in Cuzco. There are also two groups called the mamakuna and yanakuna, these groups are men and women that were selected when they were young to serve the state. The mamakuna are more common than the yanakuna, or the men who were selected to serve the state, live in segregated communities. The more beautiful of the women, may become part of the emperor’s harem, and others may be given away in dynastic marriages. The main purpose of the mamakuna are to be priestesses in the state cult of the sun, and spin and weave the Inca textiles for which the Inca’s are famous for. They are also some of the main producers of corn beer called chicha. The yanakuna serve the high members of society in many ways, but unlike the mamakuna are free to marry who they want. The main task of the yanakuna are to take care of the herds of animals, such as llama’s and alpacas. This allows the yanakuna mobility and networks of links throughout the society, due to most of the llamas belong to the state. With the help from the yanakuna working on roads and in the markets and the manakunian temples and workshops, the lifetime servants resemble an elementary civil service. The manakuna and yanakuna are a sign of the amount of power the Inca Empire has. Division of Land in the Empire All land in the Empire is communal, and is owned by the government, but can be rented for public use. The state's land is divided into three parts: one third for the government, one third for priests and religious leaders, and a third for the ayllu - a type of community especially popular in the Andes. Commoners have to supply labor for state projects, which are known as the mita or labor tax. It is required for all men who are able to do mita for a certain number of days per year.
Welfare System The Incas have an early form of a welfare state. Their government takes responsibility for the well-being of the citizens. The Sapa Inca, or ruler of the Inca often tours the empire to monitor the well-being of the citizens.
The Inca government watches over its citizens for their whole lives. When there is crisis in the empire like crop failure or a natural disaster, officials give out supplies from warehouses scattered around different regions of the empire to the people in need. But, the great welfare systems comes with a price. The Incas lived under strict rule, and were always checked by officials to make sure they are constantly working, and that all living spaces are kept clean. Because of strict laws and restrictions, and strong penalties, there is little crime in the empire. The Inca Government enforces the three golden rules: do not steal, do not lie, and do not be lazy. |
Cuzco is Shown on the Map Above |