The Enchanted Lake: Inca Legend

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Questions and Answers

What was the primary purpose of the annual Sun Festival celebrated by the Incas?

To mourn the loss of past Inca kings.
To display the golden urn to potential invaders.
To trade gold and other treasures with neighboring tribes.
To worship Inti, the god of the sun. (correct)

According to the Inca legend, what was the significance of the arrival of white men?

It would lead to conquest and destruction. (correct)
It would bring a new era of prosperity and trade.
It would mark the return of a benevolent god.
It would result in a peaceful cultural exchange.

What concerned Ima most about the news brought by the chasqui?

The chasqui was injured and in need of medical attention.
Her husband was planning to leave with his soldiers.
The news confirmed her premonitions of misfortune and calamity. (correct)
The king Atahualpa, would punish them.

Why did the curaca entrust the sacred urn to Ima before leaving for Cuzco?

He wanted her to protect it from the enemies, even if it meant throwing it into the enchanted lake. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What motivated Ima to throw the sacred urn into the enchanted lake?

She wanted to prevent the conquerors from possessing the urn and its powers. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What did the white men offer Atahualpa in exchange for his freedom?

The conquerors promised to free Atahualpa in exchange for riches. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What evidence suggested that the sacred urn possessed magical powers?

There was a tremor, and the lake lit up with a golden light after Ima threw it into the lake. (D) Signup and view all the answers

How did the story conclude for Ima?

She died, but the urn did not fall into the hands of the conquerors. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why was it so hard to get to the lake?

The lake was surrounded by mountains. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why was the urn important to the Incas?

It was a symbol of power for the rulers and peace for the people. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Flashcards

The Enchanted Lake

A circular, quiet lake in northern Argentina, surrounded by mountains and vegetation, illuminated briefly by the sun.

The Curaca

The leader of the Inca people; rich, respected, and considered a good leader by his people.

The Golden Urn

A golden urn with magical powers, passed down through generations, symbolizing peace and prosperity for its possessors.

Common Legend

A prophecy among Indian races about the arrival of white men with strange customs who would conquer them.

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Chasqui

Messengers who delivered important messages in the Inca empire; one brought news of the arrival of strange men.

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Atahualpa

The king of the Incas who was captured by the white men, leading to a desperate attempt to free him with gold and silver.

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Ima

The wife of the curaca, who had worrisome dreams and ultimately sacrificed herself to protect the sacred urn.

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Study Notes

In northern Argentina exists a circular and quiet lake surrounded by mountains and abundant vegetation.
Access to the lake is challenging due to the mountainous terrain, only illuminated briefly each day, earning it the name "The Enchanted Lake."

Historical Context

Long before the Spanish conquest, Inca tribes inhabited the region.
Their leader, called curacas, was highly esteemed and wealthy, possessing invaluable objects and a golden urn with magical properties.
The urn, a gift from an Inca king, symbolized peaceful rule for its possessor but meant destruction if taken by enemies.

Cultural Significance

The community celebrated a yearly Great Sun Festival to honor Inti, the sun god, displaying the urn in a prominent location.
The Inca shared a common legend foretelling the arrival of white men in strange attire who would conquer them, with differing beliefs on whether their arrival would be heralded by a god or an evil spirit.
Coastal tribes believed the strangers would arrive by sea, while inland tribes expected them from diverse terrains, all anticipating dire consequences.

The Arrival and Conflict

As foreseen, white men from Spain arrived, overcoming natural barriers.
The local Incas, unaware, received news via a chasqui (messenger) from Cuzco about the strangers and the capture of King Atahualpa.
The curaca's wife, Ima, sensed impending doom through unsettling dreams.

Protecting the Sacred Urn

The curaca, preparing to aid Atahualpa, entrusted the urn to Ima, ordering her to cast it into the lake if capture was imminent.
Following confirmation of Atahualpa's captivity and a ransom proposal, the Inca community complied with the collection of gold and silver.
A white man noticed the urn and demanded it, but Ima refused, revealing its sacred nature and promising not to give to white men, prioritizing Atahualpa's rescue, and the white man insisted due to orders.

Ima's Sacrifice

The white man attempted to seize the urn by force, leading to chaos, and then Ima fled with the urn, pursued by a white man.
Nearing the lake, Ima threw herself into the water with the urn, triggering tremors and golden light.
The conqueror, witnessing the urn's power, was frightened and fled
The following day, Ima's body was discovered, ensuring the urn remained out of enemy hands.