Untitled Quiz

Study Notes

Native Andeans relied on oral traditions for their past and identities in the 15th and 16th centuries
Specialized storytellers (named specialists) were in charge of remembering and reciting major events within lineages
Narratives were often sung at ritual events
Stories focused on expansion, construction, and diplomacy, featuring folk heroes whose names became paradigms of social values (e.g., courage, virtue, hospitality)
These tales served as both propaganda and instruction for Andean rulers
Rulers sometimes spent significant time listening to the narratives
Examples include Guayna Capac

Quechua, an Andean language, was not written, leading to various spellings in Spanish records
Spaniard chroniclers wrote Quechua phonetically, causing varied spellings for the same words
Stories were passed down across generations
The stories were often repetitive and contradictory, making it difficult to create a clear and concise historical record
Betanzos attempted to organize the accounts by lineage (earliest to latest)
He used the European dynastic model.
His accounts, however, introduced distortions, and later influenced other chroniclers

A system of naming that assigned individuals to names sequentially through time, based in social standing (repetitive assignments and name-taking based on age)
New names were bestowed on people who were judged as appropriate for their tasks
Names often represent a role, responsibility, or accomplishments of a lineage or a group.
Names were passed down from one person to another, preserving collective memories and deeds.
Stories, recited and sung, sometimes were accompanied by dancing and portrayal
The collective deeds were preserved and passed down through oral narratives
The focus was on the name rather than the individual
Famous names became titles
The focus on names maintained social, political, and familial positions, which were re-created.
Individuals tended to maintain status and enhance the title through their actions .

The biases of chroniclers and the cultural context of oral traditions should be considered
The socio-religious contexts of the sources, the biases of the authors, and varying intended audiences affected representations of the past.