The Tawantinsuyo, or, Inca empire, ruled over the territory from Ecuador down to central Chile. The complexity of the Cuzco government and tax obligations produced a bureaucratic functionary called a quipucamayoc, an expert in using the quipu, the Inca recording system. Inca accountants were privileged employees, but they were not the only ones to use these instruments. Colonial chronicles mention a quilcacamayoc, who managed a quipu with different colored yarns. Unlike the quipucamayoc, these specialists recorded events, stories and poetry with their knots. They were the empire’s historical memory and their quipus were learned and inherited according to a family line of descent.

Related cultures:
Inka

Related pieces:
Quipu, cultura Inka