Tupaq Yupanki III
| Tupaq Yupanki III | |
|---|---|
 Name written in Kaya script | |
| Sapa Inka | |
| Reign | 27th April 1959 – present |
| Coronation | 22nd June 1959 |
| Predecessor | Titu Rimachi II |
| Heir presumptive | Unknown |
| Born | 13 May 1926 Qhapaq Pikchu, Tupawasi Suyu, Kayahallpa |
| Spouse | Mama Kusi Quya (m. 1948) and others |
| Issue | 34 |
| House | Qhapaq Dynasty |
| Father | Titu Rimachi II |
| Mother | Mama Uqllu Quya |
| Religion | Kayan Way |
Tupaq Yupanki III (Sapan Inka Tupaq Yupanki; born 13 May 1926) is the current Sapa Inka of Kayahallpa, having ascended to the throne some time after the death of his father, the previous Sapa Inka Titu Rimachi II in April 1959. Chosen according to traditional Kayahallpan ascension procedures, he was the 7th eldest son and 12th eldest child of Titu Rimachi II. As the supreme head of Kayahallpa's theocratic, absolute monarchy, he rules by decree and is only held accountable by the divine. Typified as a traditionalist, he has largely continued the social policies of his predecessors while embracing limited economic reforms to diversify the economy. As no major armed conflicts have been waged against Kayahallpa's neighbors during his reign, the period is considered the most stable in Kayan history. At 95 years old, he is the longest-lived Sapa Inka to date. Most details on his personal life are poorly known but his health has likely worsened in recent years, given a decreased in attendance of public events.
Tupaq Yupanki was born in the Qhapaq Pikchu neighborhood of Tupawasi inside the Imperial Palace to the previous Sapa Inka, Titu Rimachi II and his first wife Mama Uqllu Quya on the 13th of May 1926. He spent much of his upbringing at the "Temple of Chak", a monastery near the city of Sarallaqta associated with Mutunistic practices of Kaya religious tradition. Not considered a typical place for a future emperor, Tupaq Yupanki was the only one of his brothers (who were competitors to the throne upon their father's death) to have been placed there. This is believed to have impacted on the more market-friendly and Mutul-oriented policies of his reign, eventually leading to the signing of a multilateral free trade agreement with the Mutul and Sante Reze.
Due to the workings of Kayahallpan ascension procedures, which feature a seclusive election process by a selection of secret traditional judges, it is currently unknown who will inherhit Tupaq Yupanki's empire after his death. However, there are speculated to be several favorites among his many sons; these have received a great deal of attention in the foreign media whenever they make an official appearance, but almost nothing is known about their personal lives. As the Kayan monarchy follows a males-only basis in all cases (even if the Sapa Inka has no living descendants, in which case a close male relative would inherit), his daughters are ineligible for the throne.