Llawt'u facts for kids

The llawt'u (pronounced "YAW-too") was a special type of turban worn by the most important ruler of the Inca Empire, called the Sapa Inca. It was a very important part of his outfit and showed his power. The llawt'u was made with the bright colors of the Inca Empire, also known as the Tahuantinsuyo.

An Inca head wearing a llawt'u and maskapaycha, symbols of power.

What Was the Llawt'u?

The llawt'u was a unique headgear worn only by the Sapa Inca. It was like a crown or a special hat that showed who the ruler was. This turban was carefully woven and had different colored braids.

What Was It Made Of?

The llawt'u was traditionally made from the soft wool of the vicuña. The vicuña is a small animal related to the llama and alpaca, found in the Andes mountains. Its wool is very fine and valuable.

Special Parts of the Llawt'u

The llawt'u had some special features that made it even more unique:

• Maskapaycha: On the front of the llawt'u, there was a special stripe of wool called the maskapaycha. This was another important symbol of the Sapa Inca's authority.
• Quriqinqi Symbol: A symbol of the quriqinqi bird was also displayed on the front. The mountain caracara is a type of falcon found in the Andes, and its image added to the power of the llawt'u.

The llawt'u was much more than just a piece of clothing. It was a powerful symbol that helped everyone recognize the Sapa Inca and understand his important role as the leader of the Inca Empire.

See also

In Spanish: Llauto para niños