Rewriting history – women in ancient Peru were powerful monarchs

Posted On: Jul 7th, 2018 at 12:09

Peru
A ten-year study by Maritza Villavicencio suggests that women in ancient Peru weren’t just “priestesses” – high ranking in the religious elite – but were powerful monarchs who wielded immense power.
The article makes the point so there’s little for me to say, but I happen to agree with Maritza, since the annual procession during the Inti Raymi festival, still occurring today after more than 500 years*, clearly places the female – mother earth – in a high position alongside the sun king. Like most ancient cultures I think it’s clear women always had high status and were equal to men on many levels.
But that’s not all. Having spent almost a year in Peru and seen most of the main archaeological sites I never once saw a place where women were marginalised, given lesser burials, or seemed to have a lower status than men; Inca sacrifices of children were not sexually disproportionate.
I think it’s just logical. That’s it really. I’ll probably source a copy of Maritza’s book, I’m sure it will make intriguing reading.

* Some sources suggest the Inti Raymi festival has been occurring non-stop since the early 15th Century. The Spanish conquerors, however, outlawed the festival and it was reinvented in the 20th Century. It’s doubtful the current festival is anything like the original, especially since sacrificing children is illegal.

https://mg.co.za/article/2018-04-04-women-ran-things-in-ancient-peru-a-new-study-argues