Exploring the Inca Empire and Mita System

Sep 13, 2024

Anti-Social Studies Lecture: The Inca and the Mita System

Introduction

  • Focus on the Inca Empire
  • Deep dive into the Mita system
  • Unique aspects of the Inca compared to other empires
  • Passionate advocate of Inca history

Overview of the Inca Empire

  • Bureaucratic structure with local rulers
  • Provinces called Suyu (four main ones)
  • Mimicked the Southern Cross constellation
  • Maintained local practices and religions

Unique Features of the Inca

  • No currency: Bartering system
  • Mita system: Required labor instead of tribute
    • Each individual served the state three times in their life for about 90 days
    • Service involved various tasks:
      • Farming state-owned lands
      • Building palaces or infrastructure
      • Military service (craftspeople were exempt)

Incan Architecture

  • Notable contributions:
    • Earthquake-proof designs using trapezoidal shapes
    • Structures built without mortar, fitting stones like puzzles
    • Example: Cuzco foundations withstand earthquakes while Spanish buildings collapse

Mita System Details

  • Three types of service:
    1. Service to the State: Contributing labor for public works
    2. Service to the Gods: Maintaining religious sites, farming priest-owned lands
    3. Service to Community: Infrastructure maintenance and agricultural contributions
  • Viewed as a communal duty rather than forced labor

Cultural Significance

  • Inca believed in a trilogy of worlds:
    1. Land of Men and Power: Earth, represented by the Puma
    2. Land of the Afterlife: Underworld, represented by the Serpent
    3. Land of Gods and Freedom: Heaven, represented by the Condor
  • Layout of Cuzco designed to reflect this belief

Major Achievements

  • Inca civilization ruled more people and land than the Roman Empire
  • No writing or slavery, relied on labor and khipu for records
  • Resisted Spanish conquest for over 40 years

Conclusion

  • Inca as an exceptional civilization in the post-classical era
  • Encouraged students to explore more about the Inca
  • Resources available at antisocialstudies.org and podcast recommendations