Inca education facts for kids

Imagine living in the ancient Inca Empire! How would you go to school? Well, education for Inca children was quite different from today. It depended a lot on who your family was. There were two main types of education: one for the children of noble families and another for most other people.

The noble children, and some special kids chosen from different parts of the Empire, got formal schooling from wise teachers called the Amawtakuna. These Amawtakuna were like philosopher-scholars. They were very respected and taught important knowledge. Most other children learned skills and traditions from their parents and older family members. The Incas didn't have a written language like we do. Instead, they used a unique system of knotted strings called Quipus to record information.

The Amawtakuna were a special group of wise men in Peru. They were like the storytellers and teachers of their time. They were philosophers, poets, and priests. They made sure that the history, culture, and traditions of the Incas were remembered and passed on. These teachers were the most educated and respected people in the Empire.

They mainly taught young people from the royal family. They also taught other young people from conquered lands who were chosen to help rule those areas. This meant that formal education was mostly for the upper classes. Regular people did not get this kind of formal schooling. However, the Amawtakuna did make sure that everyone learned Quechua. This was the main language of the Inca Empire.

Education for Inca Nobles

Young noble students, called yachakuq runa, started their education around age 13. They went to special "houses of knowledge" called Yachaywasi in Cuzco, the Inca capital. The Amawtakuna taught them about Inca religion, history, how the government worked, and good manners.

A very important part of their learning was understanding the quipu. This was the Incas' special way of keeping records. It used knotted strings to track things like soldiers, supplies, how many people lived somewhere, and how much food was grown. The young men also got strong training in physical fitness and military skills.

Most noble students finished their education around age 19. After passing their tests, they received a special piece of clothing called a wara. This showed they were now considered mature young men. Their education ended with a big ceremony. Important Inca leaders and Amawtakuna attended. The new young nobles showed off their strength and warrior skills. They proved they were ready for their future roles.

They were also presented to the Inca ruler, the Sapa Inca. He would pierce their ears with large earrings. He congratulated them on their skills. He reminded them of the big responsibilities that came with their noble status. He called them the new "Children of the Sun."

Education for Noble Women

Some historians believe there were also schools for Inca princesses and other women. These were called "Aklla wasi" (or Acllahuasi). The education at the main Acllahuasi in Cuzco was different from those in other parts of the Empire.

Women learned about Inca traditions and how to be a woman in their society. They also learned some skills related to government, but not as much as the men. Other important skills included spinning thread, weaving cloth, and making chicha, a traditional drink. When the Spanish arrived, they thought these places were like European nunneries.

Like the men, women were chosen from villages all over the Empire to come to the Acllahuasis. After their training, some women stayed to teach new girls. Other women might become secondary wives of the Sapa Inca if he wanted. Or they might be sent as gifts to men who had pleased the ruler.

Education for Everyone Else

Most people in the Inca Empire did not go to formal schools. Children learned what they needed from their older family members. This education focused on the Inca culture and artistic skills. Even though education was seen as important for everyone, it was mostly informal for the general population.

Education After the Spanish Arrived

When the Europeans arrived, Inca education started to change. Sometimes, noble Inca women and Spanish men had children together. These children had a mix of two cultures. They might get a formal European education and also learn Inca traditions from their family.

One famous person with this background was Garcilaso. His mother was an Inca noblewoman, and his father was European. He had the chance to get a formal European education. He also learned a lot from his Inca relatives. This helped him understand both cultures.

The Europeans also learned from the Incas. When they arrived, they were surprised that the Incas did not have a written language. Instead, they used the quipu. Many Spanish conquistadors learned how to use the quipu. For example, Guaman Poma wrote a book about the quipu and showed it to King Philip II of Spain.