Tuachec Empire

Tuachec Empire
1250 - 1642
Imperial Tuachec banner
Capital	Tualcacán
Common languages	Quepec, Guaruma,
Demonym(s)	Tuachec
Government	Divine, absolute monarchy
Population
• Estimate	15,000,000-16,000,000
Today part of	Pecario

The Tuachec Empire was a pre-Colonial empire that extended its dominion over vast territories of Mesothalassa and southern Alharu. Known for its architectural, agricultural, and artistic innovations, the empire played a pivotal role in the shaping of the region's cultural landscape. At the peak of its power, the Tuachec Empire was a beacon of governance, religious expression, and social organization. The empire's expansive road networks, sophisticated irrigation systems, and imposing terraced fields showcased its advanced engineering capabilities. However, like many great empires before it, the Tuachec succumbed to internal strife and Iberic conquest.

Etymology

Historians do not know with certainty the origin of the name. The most common theory is that "Tuachec" potentially originate from two words from indigenous languages:

"Tua" could be derived from a word meaning "land" or "country" and "Chec" could be a deformation of a term referring to "strength" or "energy" in ancient Quepec. Thus, "Tuachec" can be interpreted as "the land of strength" or "the land of energy," suggesting the power and vitality of the empire.

Geographical and social organization

The Tuachec Empire was one of the largest in Mesothalassa and southern Alharu. Many constraints are however linked to the geography of the empire, this extent and this mountainous character: slope, cold, altitude, without forgetting the coasts.

Tuachec irrigation canal crossing the village of Oyatambo.

Irrigation

Despite their climate, these vast desert expanses were once fertile fields during the Tuachec era, whereas they have often reverted to desert in modern times. This was achieved through the extensive artificial irrigation system employed by the Tuachecs. Similarly to the arid coastal regions, the agricultural development of the highlands also heavily relied on irrigation due to the extended dry season and rapid evaporation of rainfall.

The intricate irrigation system developed by the Tuachecs included an immense network of stone-paved canals or carved into the granite of the Cordillera del Sol mountains, along with large elevated reservoirs constructed using cement. All of this was accomplished despite the significant challenges posed by the mountainous environment, which the Tuachec engineers had to navigate. The canals constructed by the Tuachec stand as one of the numerous architectural marvels of this civilization.

Tuachec terraces in Valleluz

Terrace Cultures

Similarly, from Huayna Cápac onwards, the Tuachec people understood the significance, in a highly mountainous country with a relatively dense population, of utilizing every cultivable space available. Hence the development of arid lands through irrigation, as well as the utilization of even the steepest mountain slopes through the technique of terraced cultures, resulting in monumental and spectacular structures.

Tuachec Roads

Communication

However, among the foremost challenges of the empire, one can comprehend the difficulty of communications within an empire primarily composed of outlying regions. This necessity led to the expansion and intensification of an exceptional road network, the Tuachec Roads, constructed under the extreme conditions of a high mountain environment, alongside the refinement of a sophisticated irrigation system and various agricultural innovations.

History

Huayna Cápac, here drawn by Martínez de Murúo (17th century Iberian chronicler)

Context of formation of the empire

Upon their arrival in the Tualcacán region, the Tuachecs were just one tribe among others. These small regional powers engaged in local wars. The Tuachecs participated in a confederation with other groups, initially holding a subordinate rather than dominant position. They adopted the Quepec language, which they later spread throughout the territory.

First Tuachec leaders

Under Lloque Hanpaqui, they strengthened their position within the confederation. Thus, upon the death of the last chief of the Confederation, Hupac Yanqui seized control of the confederation, and the Tuachec imposed their laws on all tribes.

His successor, Rascar Chalec, was not as successful, and a conspiracy ended his reign. But around 1400, the Tuachec resumed their expansion under Huayna Cápac. Nevertheless, their territory did not exceed a radius of forty kilometers around Tualcacán.

Expansion and domination

With Huayna Cápac, the Tuachec Empire solidifies its dominance over the region and expands its territory. However, towards the end of his reign, the Amaquicas threaten the empire. In 1428, they invade the lands around Los Picos and march towards the capital. Cápac abandons the city and takes refuge in the fortress of Kallanka. But his son, Viracocha, remains in the city and organizes its defense. After the failure of an initial assault (Battle of Marayana), Viracocha pursues the Amaquicas and, aided by a few allied tribes, decisively defeats them.

Viracocha, now emperor, recaptures one by one the cities conquered by the Amaquicas. He completely drives them out of the eastern part of the empire by 1440, capturing several Amaquicas cities along the way.

Heyday of the Empire

Painting depicting Viracocha I

Reign of Yama Cápac

In 1453, the son of Viracocha, Viracocha II, raised an army and defeated a final Amaquica incursion at the Battle of Wocaco. These military successes can be attributed to the existence of a caste of highly trained young nobles and the establishment of a permanent army that could quickly reach all parts of the empire in times of trouble. Hostile populations were relocated within the country and replaced by loyal subjects sent as settlers.

The Tuachec integrated Amaquican techniques of metallurgy, weaving, and mass ceramics production. They constructed new cities in the conquered territories to manage economic and military affairs. The emperor's administrators collected around 66% in taxes on agricultural and manufactured products (such as textiles and maize beer) and demanded forced labor for major projects (roads, irrigation, drainage, agricultural terracing, quarries, mines, construction of fortresses and new cities).

Viracocha II was assassinated in 1465 after a series of continuous plots. He was succeeded by his son, Inti Huayna.

The Seven Good Emperors

This era is often regarded as a golden age for the empire due to the wise leadership and successful policies implemented by these emperors. The Seven Good Emperors ruled from approximately 1465 to 1629, bringing notable advancements and achievements to the empire.

The empire experienced a great period of stability with the so-called period of the Seven Good Emperors. During their reign, the Tuachec Empire experienced significant cultural and technological growth. The emperors encouraged arts, literature, and architecture, leading to the construction of grand monuments, temples, and palaces. They also promoted the expansion of trade and commerce both within the empire and with neighboring regions, contributing to economic growth and the enrichment of the empire's resources.

One of the key aspects of the reign of the Seven Good Emperors was their emphasis on justice, law, and governance. They established a fair and efficient legal system, ensuring that all citizens, regardless of their social status, were treated equitably. This approach helped to reduce corruption and improve the overall well-being of the population.

Additionally, the emperors invested in infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and irrigation systems, which further facilitated communication, trade, and agricultural productivity. These developments contributed to the empire's stability and its ability to withstand various challenges.

• 1465-1489: Inti Huayna
• 1489-1512: Viracocha III
• 1512-1536: Huascar Túpac
• 1536-1560: Manco Vagra
• 1560-1595: Atahualpa Quispe
• 1595-1620: Túpac Amaru
• 1620-1629: Wayna Qhapaq

Spanish conquest, decline and fall of the empire

Main article: Iberic conquest of the Tuachec Empire

The Fall of Tualcacán, the heart of the empire

First contacts with the Iberics

Diego de Montega makes first contact with the Tuachec Empire at Riomar in 1630, the southernmost Tuachec stronghold along the coast. However, they were not perceived as a threat at that time; quite the opposite. According to a Tuachec legend, the moon god Quilla was destined to return to Eurth to restore peace and stability. Montega was associated with this mythical figure and was welcomed without fear.

Capture of Viracocha IV

On September 11, 1631, after the capture of Tawantinsuyo by Montega's forces, Viracocha IV was taken captive by the Iberics. From that point on, the Tuachecs refrained from attacking them out of fear for their emperor-god's life.

While Viracocha was in the hands of the Iberics, Montega fueled disputes and encouraged rebellion among the peoples dominated by the Tuachecs, leading to the fragmentation of the empire. Nevertheless, the Tuachecs still held hope and wished to reclaim their emperor. Montega proposed a ransom: the room holding Viracocha had to be filled with gold. The Tuachecs complied, but Montega did not honor his promise and had the deposed emperor executed on August 22, 1632.

Last resistances

The Iberics then embarked on the conquest of the entire territory, supported by the rebellious peoples. Arriving in Tualcacán on June 5, 1632, they pillaged the city and placed Inti Yupanqui, the nephew of Viracocha IV, on the throne. However, Inti Yupanqui, who was aligned with the Iberics, was completely powerless in the face of the empire's downfall. He attempted to launch an insurrection in 1634, managed to regain control of parts of the country, but failed to recapture Tualcacán. The war persisted until 1647, the year in which he was assassinated.

The Tuachecs then retreated to Tuyus Wasi, a city protected by its geographical location in the mountains. A core of Tuachec resistance survived there until 1652.

Consequences

The Iberic conquest was accompanied by pillaging, the introduction of diseases that decimated populations, famine, the enslavement of indigenous people, and the forced evangelization of the population.

The catastrophic population decline, recorded from 1655 onwards, corresponds to the definitive "pacification" of Pecario and the widespread use of forced labor in mines, where nearly five million Indigenous people perished in less than twenty years. The initial phase of population collapse was primarily attributed to massacres linked to the Conquest, as well as the introduction of new viruses brought by the conquistadors for which the indigenous people had not developed immunity. These viruses led to devastating epidemics of smallpox, influenza, and measles.

Religion

Tuachec human sacrifice

Teacher myths were transmitted orally until early Iberic colonists recorded them. The Tuachec believed in reincarnation. After death, the passage to the next world was fraught with difficulties. The spirit of the dead would need to follow a long road and during the trip the assistance of a condor was required. Most Tuachecs imagined the after world to be like an earthly paradise with flower-covered fields and snow-capped mountains.

The Tuachecs made human sacrifices. As many as 4,000 servants, court officials, favorites and concubines were killed upon the death of Viracocha I. The Tuachecs performed child sacrifices around important events, such as a drought or a famine.

Deities The Tuachecs were polytheists who worshipped many gods

• Quilla, the god of the moon and the Great Creator of the world.
• Zalanteco, the god of nature and wild animals.
• Xihuitl, the goddess of the seasons and the cycle of life.
• Cazlomac, the god of the stars and the cosmos.
• Tlalpochtli, the god of hunting and courage.
• Citlali, the goddess of beauty and love.
• Tzolkin, the god of time and fate.
• Fuczec, the goddess of music and art.
• Xilomi, the god of dreams and imagination.

Art

Tunics

Tunics were created by skilled Tuachec textile-makers as a piece of warm clothing, but they also symbolized cultural and political status and power. Generally, textile-making was practiced by both men and women. Tunics could symbolize one's relationship to ancient rulers or important ancestors. These textiles were frequently designed to represent the physical order of a society, for example, the flow of tribute within an empire.

Ceramics, precious metals and textiles

Tuachec ceramic representing a llama

Ceramics were painted using the polychrome technique portraying numerous motifs including animals, birds, waves and felines. In a culture without a written language, ceramics portrayed the basic scenes of everyday life, including the smelting of metals, relationships and scenes of tribal warfare. Almost all of the gold and silver work of the Tuachec empire was melted down by the Iberic conquistadors.

Coca

The Tuachecs revered the coca plant as sacred/magical. Its leaves were used in moderate amounts to lessen hunger and pain during work, but were mostly used for religious and health purposes. Coca leaves were also used as an anaesthetic during surgeries.

Burial customs

Tuachec stone funerary towers called Chullpas. They were built to protect and honor the mummified bodies of noble family members. Along with some personal belongings, the corpses were placed inside in a fetal position.

Mummification occurred naturally by desiccation. Mummification was chosen to preserve the body and to give others the opportunity to worship them in their death. The ancient Tuachec believed in reincarnation, so preservation of the body was vital for passage into the afterlife. Since mummification was reserved for royalty, this entailed preserving power by placing the deceased's valuables with the body in places of honor. The bodies remained accessible for ceremonies where they would be removed and celebrated with. The ancient Tuachec mummified their dead with various tools. The bodies were then stuffed with natural materials such as vegetable matter and animal hair. Sticks were used to maintain their shape and poses. In addition to the mummification process, the Tuachec would bury their dead in the fetal position inside a vessel intended to mimic the womb for preparation of their new birth. A ceremony would be held that included music, food, and drink for the relatives and loved ones of the deceased.