Titu Cusi facts for kids

Titu Cusi Yupanqui was an important Inca ruler. He led the Neo-Inca State in Vilcabamba. This was a part of the Inca Empire that remained free from Spanish control. He was the second-to-last leader of this state.

Titu Cusi was a son of Manco Inca Yupanqui. He became ruler in 1563. This happened after his half-brother, Sayri Tupac, passed away. Titu Cusi ruled until 1571, when he also died.

Titu Cusi's Time as Ruler

During his rule in Vilcabamba, a Spanish leader named Lope Garcia de Castro wanted to talk with Titu Cusi. They discussed Titu Cusi leaving Vilcabamba. They also talked about him accepting money from the Spanish Crown.

Around 1568, Titu Cusi was baptized. He joined the Roman Catholic Church and was given the name Diego de Castro.

Titu Cusi made his brother, Túpac Amaru, a priest. Túpac Amaru also took care of their father's body in Vilcabamba. After Titu Cusi died in 1571, Túpac Amaru became the next Inca ruler.

Some people believed that Titu Cusi's close friend, Martín de Pando, and a friar named Diego Ortiz were responsible for his death. Both Martín de Pando and Diego Ortiz were killed because of these beliefs.

An Inca Story of the Spanish Conquest

Titu Cusi is known for telling his own story of the Spanish invasion. This story is called An Inca Account of the Conquest of Peru. He told it in 1570 to a Spanish missionary named Fray Marcos García. Titu Cusi's helper, Martín de Pando, wrote it all down.

This special document shares the Inca point of view about the conquest. It describes the confusion and misunderstandings when the Spanish first arrived. For example, some Incas thought the Spanish were gods.

A very interesting part of the story is when Manco Inca, Titu Cusi's father, first hears about the Spanish. Coastal tribesmen brought him the news.

When my father heard this, he was beside himself and said, "How dare those people intrude into my country without my authorisation and permission? Who are these people and what are their ways?" The messengers answered, "Lord, these people cannot but be gods, for they claim to have come by the wind. They are bearded people, very beautiful and white. They eat out of silver plates. Even their sheep, who carry them, are large and wear silver shoes. They throw yllapas like the sky... Moreover, we have witnessed with our own eyes that they talk to white cloths by themselves and that they call some of us by our names without having been informed by anyone and only looking into the sheets, which they hold in front of them... Who could people of this manner and fortune be but Viracochas?"

See also

In Spanish: Titu Cusi Yupanqui para niños