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Manco Cápac

Legendary founder of the Inca civilization

  • 5 min read
  • 4 chapters

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Biography

Origin

Manco Cápac was born in Tamputoco, which according to some is located in the present-day province of Paruro, in Peru. The city usually served as a refuge for many people escaping the Aymaran invasions of the Altiplano. His father was named Apu Tambo. Manco Cápac and his family lived a nomadic lifestyle. Manco Cápac's father Apu Tambo was the head of the local tribal ayllu, to which several dozens of families belonged to and were part of. The families were under his lead.

Foundation of Cusco

After the death of his father, Manco Capac had to succeed him as the head of the ayllu and now currently lead the several dozens of families. The members of the ayllu were nomads, and the trajectory of their journeys through the Altiplano resembles the journey described in the legend of the Ayar brothers. Upon arriving in the Cusco valley, they defeated three small tribes that lived there; the Sahuares, Huallas and Alcahuisas, and then settled in a swampy area between two small streams, that today corresponds with the main plaza of the city of Cusco. The recently founded city was divided into four districts; Chumbicancha, Quinticancha, Sairecancha and Yarambuycancha.

Manco Cápac's tribe, or ayllu, only occupied a small fraction of the Cusco valley, the rest of it being inhabited by larger and more powerful tribes, who often would threaten the city. Located north of the city there was a confederated lordship of Ayarmacas and Pinaguas. All these tribes regarded Manco Cápac and his ayllu as invaders and would often attack them. Manco Cápac, and later his son and successor Sinchi Roca, would often have to defend the city against the other tribes.

Death

Manqu Qhapaq died of a natural death and left his son, Sinchi Roca, as his successor in Cusco. His body was mummified and remained in the city until the reign of Pachacuti, who ordered its removal to the Temple of the Sun on Isla del Sol. In Cusco there remained only a statue erected in his honor.

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